How do you think John and Eileen influenced Peter's thinking about himself?

How do you think John and Eileen influenced Peter's thinking about himself. Did they have a positive or negative influence on him?

Both John and Eileen befriended Peter when he felt alone in the world. John's questions made Peter think about his own life. They made him face the emotions he had kept buried; anger, rage, misery. He realized how little he knew about his parents, about himself. He finally says "I had never been loved".
In a way they helped him move on to the next step rather than remaining locked in his make believe apartment.

I think that John opened Peter's eyes to what was possible for him, that he could live as a woman and be his true self. Eileen's acceptance of and love for John showed Peter that there was hope for love in a nurturing relationship. It would be difficult, but he could go out and make a new life for himself.

I believe that Peter finally found someone he felt accepted him/her for what he/she was. But he was still such a tortured soul - he just couldn't seem to find happiness anywhere.

By the time John/Eileen entered the story I had lost total interest & just wanted to finish this book. As I read others' replies I can remember & believe John/Eileen had a positive effect on Peter finally being able to accept him/herself. I wish they had come earlier in the story even if just a few paragraphs to have someone show Peter some acceptance.

I, too, had lost interest in the book by the time John and Eileen entered Peter's life. Even though I read the last 40 or so pages very quickly, I did feel that John and Eileen helped Peter come to terms with his identity and I particularly liked the way they encouraged him to be Audrey Hepburn for Halloween. I think that was a turning point in Peter's life.

I found John and Elaine's relationship to be really strange and I didn't really buy into it. Were they both supposed to be lesbians? Otherwise, I don't think the relationship would be satisfying for either one. Meeting John made Peter realize he wasn't the only transsexual around. It would give him a lot to think about.

They understood, possessed knowledge, fostered and were incredibly supportive. Peter was able to ask questions and truly reveal himself. Nice to have a connection with someone similar, bonding helps.

John was the first time he got to have a personal relationship with a transgender. I think it was an eye opening affair for him. Being introduced to Eileen and John as a couple was a chance to see that it was possible to have a loving relationship as a transgender. There knowledge that Peter didn't have and an introduction to political activism for transgender was a mind bending experience for Peter. There dressing Peter up as Audrey Hepburn on Halloween was probably the happiest day of his adult life. He got to see he could have fun.