Themes in Boys Don't Cry - Edexcel

There are many themes to explore in Boys Don’t Cry, including:

• Family
• Parenting
• Bravery
• Responsibility
• Gender
• Prejudice
• Grief
• Growing up

Remember

A theme is a big idea that can be found throughout the text. It is created by repeating events, images and ideas.

At the start of the novel, the Bridgeman family are struggling. Dante argues with his brother, Adam, who in turn feels misunderstood. Adam resents his father, Tyler, who is unreasonably strict with his sons. However, after baby Emma’s arrival, Adam and Tyler begin to support Dante. Throughout the novel, we see the Bridgeman family grow closer and happier.

In contrast, the baby’s mother, Melanie is rejected by her family for becoming pregnant. She lacks support and feels unable to look after her daughter. Through the theme of family, Blackman could be reflecting on the enormous impact families have and how we must strive to support and understand each other through life’s challenges.

Questions

How is the theme of family reflected through each character?

Parenting is presented as challenging but rewarding.

The arrival of Emma changes many aspects of Melanie and Dante’s lives and relationships. We also see how their experiences mirror Tyler’s past.

Blackman’s message is clear: support is needed for teen or single parents who may struggle with the many challenges parenthood brings.

Question

Adam demonstrates brave behaviour throughout the novel: he is proud of his lifestyle, identity and sexuality. This bravery is in contrast to Josh who is afraid to be openly homosexual. Adam also shows courage when he overcomes his injuries and mental health issues at the end of the novel.

We see Dante’s bravery as he adjusts to the way that Emma changes his life. He takes responsibility for his child and learns how to relate to his father.

We also learn how brave Tyler has been. As a young man he took responsibility for the unplanned arrival of Dante. After the death of his wife, Tyler became a single parent to Dante and Adam.

Eventually Tyler, Dante and Adam all show bravery by speaking openly with each other and sharing their true feelings.

The theme of responsibility is clearly shown through the challenges of parenting. For example, Dante, Melanie and Tyler all struggle to take responsibility for their own actions and mistakes, particularly unplanned pregnancies.

The day-to-day responsibilities of parenting shown in the novel include feeding Emma, helping her to sleep, looking after her health and keeping her safe. When Tyler’s wife was still alive she shared these responsibilities. Tyler and Adam help Dante with Emma. No one helps Melanie and we see how she is unable to cope.

Taking responsibility for Emma means giving up on personal dreams. Dante turns down his university place and seeks employment and Melanie has to drop out of school.

Josh’s attack on Adam also links to responsibility. Initially Josh hides from the police but later writes a letter of apology to Adam. Dante feels it is his responsibility to take revenge for Adam, but thoughts of his responsibilities to Emma stop him from hurting Josh.

Responsibility is also seen through the theme of money.

It is clear from the start of the novel that the Bridgeman family don’t have a lot of money: Dante wants to go to University so his "family wouldn’t have to scratch for every penny", and there are references to Dante not having much money in his bank account. It is a challenge for Dante to be able to provide for Emma.

Question

What does each quotation suggest about taking responsibility?

At the start of the novel, Dante and Tyler live their lives following masculine gender stereotypes. They want to be independent, don’t accept help, are career-focused and unwilling or unable to speak openly about their emotions.

They are a contrast to Adam who is openly homosexual and emotionally aware. However, Adam’s unresolved grief for his mother leads to him refusing to engage with his own medical needs or speak openly about his mental health. By following this more masculine stereotype of not asking for help, Adam endangers his own life.

Blackman also challenges gender stereotypes. As women, Melanie and Collette are expected to embrace the role of care-giver and nurture Emma, but Melanie is unable to cope with Emma's demands alone.

The character of Adam helps readers to explore wider reactions to homosexuality. We see this most obviously through Josh’s abuse of Adam and Josh’s own homophobia.

Dante also refuses to accept his brother’s sexuality and is forced to acknowledge his own homophobia when Josh kisses him.

Tyler also refuses to acknowledge Adam’s sexuality. Adam says: “Dad just ignores the fact I'm gay”. It is later revealed that Tyler’s reluctance to encourage Adam’s sexual orientation reflects his fears of homophobic violence in society. When Adam is attacked by Josh, he says, "This is what I’ve always been afraid of".

The novel begins with Dante showing his own prejudice towards Melanie as a teenage parent, saying "How could she have been stupid enough to have a kid at our age?".

A range of characters struggle to believe that Dante could be a good father: he is verbally abused in a shop for being a "waster", the doctor’s receptionist suggests the mother comes back instead, and Veronica, the social worker, is clearly concerned.

Dante feels they are particularly prejudiced towards him as a male teenager. He challenges Veronica saying: "Would we be having this conversation If I was Emma’s mum instead of her dad?"

It is revealed close to the end of the book that the Bridgeman family are Black, and this is the first mention of race in the novel. Dante says that Josh is an "equal opportunity hater" and says "God only knew what Josh said about me and other black people".

Blackman may have chosen to reveal the Bridgman's race later on in the book to encourage readers to examine their own unconscious bias. It is up to the reader to interpret whether the prejudice Dante experiences is due to his age, gender, or race.

Question

How does each quotation from Boys Don't Cry link to the theme of prejudice?

Click to reveal the key ideas.

Adam’s unresolved grief following his mother’s death from cancer is reflected in his fear of hospitals. It leads him to refuse to acknowledge his own medical needs early in the novel.

Later, after being attacked, Adam is traumatised by his physical injuries and grieves the loss of his good looks: he thinks he cannot become an actor with scars on his face. His grief and refusal to openly discuss his feelings contributes to him taking an overdose.

Aunt Jackie expresses grief for her inability to have children which led to her divorce. However, she deals with this grief in a healthy, open way. She uses her experiences to help her empathise with others and offers useful advice.

The theme of growing up is most obviously reflected in Dante’s changing character and behaviours. He prioritises Emma over his girlfriend, friends, free time and career aspirations. Dante’s personal growth is shown through his loving parenting of Emma but also his growing empathy and connection with his father and brother.

We see Emma growing up through milestones such as her first steps and first words. Her growth and loving personality emphasise Dante’s growth as a parent.

Tyler and Adam also grow as they are eventually able to speak openly. Much of this growth is enabled by Aunt Jackie. Emma is also a positive influence.

Test your understanding of the themes in Malorie Blackman's Boy's Don't Cry by taking this quiz.