Structure and Summary (Boys Don’t Cry)

This section explores the structure and provides a summary of the novel Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman. The structure of Boys Don’t Cry, with its dual narrative and contrasting storylines, serves to explore diverse perspectives on family, masculinity, and acceptance. Through a mix of Dante’s challenges with teenage parenthood and Adam’s experiences as a gay teenager facing prejudice, Blackman crafts a narrative that is both realistic and thought-provoking. The structure reinforces the characters’ development and the novel’s emphasis on growth, ultimately showing how the bonds of family and self-acceptance can help individuals overcome life’s adversities.

Structure of Boys Don’t Cry

Narrative Structure and Perspective

Boys Don’t Cry is structured with a dual narrative, switching primarily between the perspectives of Dante and his younger brother, Adam. This dual perspective allows readers insight into each brother's internal struggles and perspectives on themes such as family, responsibility, masculinity, and acceptance. Each narrative thread offers unique insights into the characters’ relationships and individual growth, highlighting different aspects of the pressures they face.

Chronology and Pacing

The story unfolds in a mostly linear fashion, beginning with Dante’s shock at discovering he is a father, and progressing as he gradually accepts and adapts to his new role. The pacing slows at key emotional moments, such as Dante’s interactions with Emma, to allow the significance of these moments to resonate. This gives readers time to appreciate Dante’s evolving emotions and bond with his daughter. Adam’s storyline, which tackles bullying and his quest for acceptance, is interwoven to create contrast, showing two young people tackling challenges that ultimately contribute to their sense of identity and resilience.

Key Themes Through Structure

The structure helps reinforce major themes:

Responsibility and Family: By alternating perspectives between Dante and Adam, Blackman contrasts Dante’s journey towards accepting fatherhood with Adam’s struggles for family support and societal acceptance.

Identity and Acceptance: Adam’s narrative explores LGBTQ+ identity and homophobia, while Dante’s explores fatherhood and what it means to be a “man,” challenging traditional notions of masculinity.

Resilience and Growth: The brothers’ separate journeys converge as they face their struggles with increased resilience, reflecting the novel’s exploration of growth, love, and empathy within a family setting.

Summary of Boys Don’t Cry

Introduction

The novel begins with seventeen-year-old Dante, who is eagerly awaiting his A-level results and planning for university. His aspirations are abruptly interrupted when his ex-girlfriend, Melanie, arrives unexpectedly and reveals that he is the father of her baby daughter, Emma. In shock, Dante is left alone to care for Emma when Melanie leaves, claiming she can no longer cope.

Development

Dante initially resents this sudden responsibility, feeling that his future has been stolen from him. He struggles with the idea of being a teenage father and faces judgment from others, including his father, who initially responds with disappointment and anger. However, with the support of his brother Adam and his friends, Dante begins to adjust to his new role. Adam, who is openly gay, faces bullying and harassment, which adds to the family’s struggles.

Adam’s storyline brings focus to the theme of acceptance, as he faces homophobic bullying that escalates to a violent assault. Despite the prejudice and pain, Adam remains resilient and steadfast in his self-identity. His relationship with Dante is strained, as Dante initially struggles to fully accept Adam’s sexuality. Through his interactions with Adam and his daughter Emma, Dante begins to reassess his own values and conceptions of masculinity and family.

Climax

The story reaches a turning point when Adam is hospitalised after a brutal attack, which shakes Dante deeply. This incident serves as a catalyst for Dante’s growth and maturity. He realises the importance of family and the necessity of supporting each other through difficulties. The brothers’ relationship strengthens as Dante learns to empathise with Adam’s experiences.

Resolution

As the novel concludes, Dante fully embraces his role as Emma’s father, and his relationship with his father and Adam improves. He begins to understand that love and family come with both sacrifices and rewards, and he recognises the strength it takes to embrace responsibility and face life’s challenges. Adam’s resilience and unwavering sense of self inspire Dante, who ultimately becomes more accepting and understanding.

Ending

The novel ends on a note of hope and unity, with Dante determined to make the best of his situation as a young father and support his brother through his own struggles. The story closes with both brothers feeling a stronger bond with each other and their father, solidifying the novel’s central message of love, acceptance, and resilience within families.