Language, structure and form in Boys Don't Cry - Eduqas

• Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman is a a realist novel. It explores themes and social issues that are relevant to young people today.

• It could also be described as a bildungsroman.

• Boys Don't Cry is written using a dual narrative structure which means that it is told by two narrators: Dante and Adam.

• Blackman uses figurative language and deliberate sentence structures to create effects and give meaning to her writing.

Remember

After identifying a technique, you should always go on to explore how and why it was used.

Ask yourself: what is the effect on the reader?

Figurative language techniques, such as similes and metaphors, are selected deliberately by the writer to create a particular effect.

After identifying a technique, you should explore how and why it was used. Ask yourself: what is the effect on the reader?

To analyse, it can be useful to think about the connotations and imagery that a word or group of words create.

Simile

Metaphor

Blackman also uses personification. An example is when Adam says he can feel "loneliness smothering me". Loneliness is personified as a figure trying to suffocate Adam. It shows how he feels loneliness as a physical thing, trying to cut him off from his life.

You could also look at the different types of sentences that Blackman chooses to use in Boys Don't Cry and their effect.

Boys Don’t Cry is written in the form of a novel. Specifically, it is an example of young adult realist fiction as it explores a range of themes and social issues that are relevant to young people today.

The novel could also be described as a bildungsroman as we follow Dante’s journey from being a schoolboy to becoming a father.

Dante and Adam are the narrators and, at points in the novel, Blackman uses internal monologues to provide insights into what they are thinking and feeling. This encourages readers to empathise with Dante and Adam as we read their most intimate, private thoughts.

Their perspectives are limited though – they don’t know, see or understand everything that happens around them. This creates dramatic irony when the reader knows or understands more than the characters do.

Structure can refer to the order of words and ideas within a sentence, a paragraph, extract or a whole text.

• Boys Don’t Cry is written using a dual narrative structure because the story is told by both Dante and Adam.

• The story is told in a linear way which allows the reader to clearly track how these characters grow and change over the course of the story.

• The very first chapter contains the revelation that Dante is Emma’s father. This provides the conflict that drives the whole narrative. Emma is also introduced right at the start as the catalyst for change.

• The Bridgeman family’s race is purposefully not revealed until Chapter 38. This decision emphasises that their race is not a main plot point.

A dynamic character is a character who changes significantly throughout the novel.

One way to analyse whole text structure is to consider dynamic characters and think about how and why they change. Adam and Dante are good examples.

Examples of other dynamic characters in Boys Don’t Cry are:

• Emma: Initially presented as a helpless baby, by the end of the novel Emma is a thriving, loving child whose affection helps remind Adam of the good in the world. This growth symbolises Dante’s influence and positive parenting.

• Tyler: Gruff and critical at the start of the novel, Tyler becomes much more emotionally open and affectionate.

• Josh: Josh’s journey takes him from an angry and homophobic character, to one who takes responsibility for his actions. He writes to Adam to apologise for attacking him, showing that everyone has the capacity to change and grow for the better.

Aunt Jackie could be considered the main only character who isn’t dynamic. She is a stable influence on the Bridgeman family throughout.

Test your understanding of the language, structure and form used in Boys Don't Cry by taking this multiple-choice quiz.