Characters (Boys Don’t Cry)

The section explores the characters in Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman. In Boys Don’t Cry, Malorie Blackman presents a cast of relatable, multi-dimensional characters who each face significant personal challenges. The novel follows Dante, a teenage boy who unexpectedly becomes a father, his younger brother Adam, who is grappling with his sexual identity and bullying, and their father, a single parent trying to support his sons. Each character represents different aspects of resilience, family dynamics, and self-discovery, contributing to the novel’s exploration of themes such as responsibility, acceptance, and identity.

Dante Bridgeman

Role in the Story: Dante is the protagonist, a seventeen-year-old with high hopes of going to university. His life takes an unexpected turn when he learns that he is the father of baby Emma, whom he must now care for.

Key Traits: Dante is initially ambitious, focused, and somewhat self-centred, with a clear plan for his future. However, as he takes on the role of a father, he grows into a more responsible, empathetic, and caring young man.

Character Development: At the beginning of the novel, Dante is resentful of his new responsibilities and struggles to accept the drastic change to his life. As he begins to bond with Emma, he matures, ultimately embracing his role as a father. This growth reflects the novel’s themes of responsibility and the power of love.

Relationship with Other Characters: Dante’s relationship with his father is strained, especially as his father initially expresses disappointment in him. His bond with Adam is complex; he loves his brother but is also uncomfortable with Adam’s sexuality. Over time, Dante’s acceptance of Adam reflects his own growth and maturity.

Significance in the Novel: Dante’s journey represents the challenges and rewards of teenage parenthood. He also embodies the theme of masculinity, confronting societal expectations about what it means to be a “real man” and learning to accept vulnerability.

Adam Bridgeman

Role in the Story: Adam is Dante’s younger brother, a vibrant and open-hearted teenager who is openly gay. Adam faces homophobic bullying at school, which brings additional tension to the family.

Key Traits: Adam is optimistic, resilient, and empathetic, in contrast to Dante’s more serious and goal-focused nature. Despite facing adversity, he remains hopeful and true to himself.

Character Development: Adam’s journey is marked by courage and resilience. While he experiences the trauma of bullying, he refuses to let it define him. Adam’s ability to stay hopeful and supportive of Dante demonstrates his inner strength and maturity.

Relationship with Other Characters: Adam’s relationship with Dante is complicated. He admires Dante but also struggles with Dante’s difficulty accepting his sexuality. Adam’s close relationship with his niece, Emma, shows his capacity for love and acceptance, and he provides a strong support system for his brother, despite his own challenges.

Significance in the Novel: Adam’s character highlights themes of identity and acceptance. His experiences with homophobia address social prejudices and the importance of self-acceptance. Adam also represents the importance of family support, showing how a supportive family can help individuals cope with discrimination.

Mr Bridgeman (Dante and Adam’s Father)

Role in the Story: Mr Bridgeman is the single father of Dante and Adam, a strict but loving parent who is committed to raising his sons with strong values.

Key Traits: He is hardworking, traditional, and initially somewhat inflexible. Although he deeply cares for his sons, he sometimes struggles to understand their needs and challenges.

Character Development: Mr Bridgeman initially reacts to Dante’s news of fatherhood with disappointment and anger, which highlights his traditional beliefs. However, over time, he softens and begins to support Dante in his journey as a father, showing a willingness to adapt and grow.

Relationship with Other Characters: As a single parent, Mr Bridgeman’s relationship with his sons is pivotal to the family’s dynamic. He is particularly protective of Adam, worrying about the bullying he faces. His relationship with Dante is strained, but he eventually comes to respect Dante’s choices and supports his son’s new responsibilities.

Significance in the Novel: Mr Bridgeman represents the challenges of single parenthood and the generational divide between traditional and modern values. His character arc emphasises the importance of family support and the ability to adapt to unexpected changes.

Emma

Role in the Story: Emma is Dante’s young daughter, whom he only learns about when she is dropped off at his doorstep by her mother. Although she is a baby, she becomes a central figure in the novel, shaping Dante’s journey of maturity and responsibility.

Key Traits: As a young child, Emma is dependent, innocent, and oblivious to the conflicts around her. She brings a sense of hope and renewal to the Bridgeman family.

Character Development: Emma does not change in a conventional sense, as she is too young to undergo development. However, her presence has a transformative effect on Dante, leading him to re-evaluate his priorities and develop a deep sense of love and responsibility.

Relationship with Other Characters: Emma’s arrival initially disrupts the family, but she ultimately brings the Bridgemans closer together. She forms a particularly close bond with Adam, who dotes on her and provides Dante with guidance and support in his parenting role.

Significance in the Novel: Emma symbolises growth, hope, and the future. Her presence challenges Dante to embrace responsibility and allows the family to bond over their shared love for her, highlighting the theme of family unity.

Melanie

Role in the Story: Melanie is Emma’s mother and Dante’s ex-girlfriend. She reappears at the beginning of the novel, unexpectedly leaving Emma with Dante.

Key Traits: Melanie is initially portrayed as unreliable and overwhelmed, choosing to abandon her responsibilities by leaving Emma with Dante. She later returns, seeking to re-establish a relationship with her daughter.

Character Development: Although Melanie is initially absent from Emma’s life, her return later in the story shows that she, too, is struggling with the demands of young parenthood. Her character adds complexity to the challenges of teenage parenting.

Relationship with Other Characters: Melanie’s relationship with Dante is strained. He feels betrayed and abandoned by her actions, but he also has to confront his own biases and recognise her struggles. Melanie’s relationship with Emma is complicated, as she ultimately wants to be part of her daughter’s life despite her initial choices.

Significance in the Novel: Melanie represents the difficult choices that young parents sometimes face. Her struggles parallel Dante’s, underscoring the theme of responsibility and the importance of facing challenges rather than avoiding them.

Collette (Dante and Adam’s Friend)

Role in the Story: Collette is a friend to both Dante and Adam, providing support and a voice of reason during difficult moments.

Key Traits: Collette is supportive, empathetic, and wise beyond her years. She offers advice and encourages Dante to accept his responsibilities.

Relationship with Other Characters: Collette’s friendship with Dante is steady and dependable, and she is also accepting of Adam’s sexuality. She often acts as a mediator between Dante and the challenges he faces.

Significance in the Novel: Collette’s supportive presence emphasises the importance of friendship and loyalty, showing how having a strong support system can help individuals face personal challenges.

Each character in Boys Don’t Cry is essential to the exploration of the novel’s central themes, including responsibility, family, and acceptance. Dante’s journey from resistance to acceptance of fatherhood, Adam’s resilience in the face of discrimination, and their father’s struggle to adapt all underscore the challenges of family life and self-discovery. Together, the characters form a realistic portrayal of a non-traditional family, highlighting the importance of support, empathy, and the courage to face life’s unexpected challenges.