In "Youth in Revolt," C.D. Payne cleverly compares a character's mother's boyfriends to U.S. Presidents, suggesting that each new boyfriend seems to reach a new low. This humorous analogy highlights the protagonist's frustration with his mother's romantic choices, which consistently disappoint him. Each new boyfriend, like each new president, somehow manages to be worse than the last, creating a cycle of disbelief and exasperation.

This statement captures the essence of Nick Twisp's cynical outlook on life and relationships, illustrating his struggle to come to terms with the chaotic romantic decisions made by those around him. The agency of his mother, represented through her dating choices, amplifies Nick's feelings of powerlessness as he navigates his adolescent world, where he finds it increasingly challenging to understand the adults in his life.