Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Bud, Not Buddy, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Economic Insecurity and Community
Children vs. Adults
Resourcefulness
Family and Home
Race and Racism
Summary
Analysis
Bud mops and plays a game with himself with the bucket and soap as the band members load their instruments. Despite Herman trying to work him “like a dog,” Bud continues to enjoy doing his chores; he even pretends the mop in the wringer is someone inside a washing machine.
Bud takes great satisfaction from doing helping his new family keep their space clean. He also does not back down from Herman’s bullying and continues to rise up to meet Herman’s challenges without complaining—Herman, it seems, has finally met his match.
Themes
Then the musicians start to play, and Bud notices that The Thug’s music sounds like soft rain on someone’s roof and Dirty Deed’s music like the Niagara Falls. When Steady Eddie plays, Bud thinks it’s the most beautiful sound he’s ever heard.
Bud becomes interested in the band’s music. Each sound strikes a chord in Bud and it makes him feel as if his new family can do no wrong with their instruments.
Themes
Miss Thomas arrives with Jimmy and Herman and thanks Bud for doing a great job, but Bud is mesmerized by the playing is unable to respond. Miss Thomas, Jimmy, and Herman then join the band, and Bud has a hard time figuring out which of them sounds the best.
Bud’s feelings of love for his new family and their music only intensifies once Jimmy, Herman, and Miss Thomas arrive and the band is complete.
Themes
When Miss Thomas starts singing, however, Bud is sure that the rest of the band operates like a storm, while Miss Thomas is the “sun busting through thick, gray clouds.”
Bud is especially captivated by Miss Thomas’ singing voice. Without her, Bud believes the band family and their music is incomplete, which also speaks to how central Miss Thomas is becoming for Bud’s own happiness and well-being.
Themes
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Miss Thomas talks as she sings, according to Bud, and Steady Eddie uses his saxophone to answer, like a conversation between the two of them (with some interruptions from other band members). When the band ends, Bud drops the mop and claps loudly, noting that he finally understands the six exclamation points in the band’s name.
Again, the band’s music reinforces the magic and love that Bud finds in their presence. Though he is new, he feels truly honored to be able to hear their music and belong to such a talented family.
Themes
