Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Concrete Rose, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Masculinity and Fatherhood
Identity and Individuality
Loyalty, Gang Affiliation, and Family
Poverty
Summary
Analysis
Thanksgiving was Maverick’s favorite holiday until Dre died. Even though the house usually feels full and happy when the entire family is there, today, it feels empty. The family isn’t laughing as much as usual, and Maverick is still in a bad mood after what happened with Lisa. He carries Seven into the kitchen. Seven is very clingy today and won’t let Maverick put him down; when he whines, Maverick fetches him a bottle. Granny tells Maverick that she made three pans of cornbread dressing, his favorite.
For Maverick, a family gathering like Thanksgiving isn’t as meaningful without Dre around. He’s still grieving his cousin, and this is made worse after Lisa’s insults. But Maverick also can’t ignore that he has people around who love him and are willing to help him, like Granny. Making his favorite Thanksgiving dish is a way for her to show she cares.
Themes
Granny says that her baby has to have his favorite, but Ma quips that Maverick isn’t a baby—he makes babies. She reveals that Lisa is pregnant. Both Aunt ‘Nita and Granny groan, and Maverick thinks he’s just a “dumbass.” When the doorbell rings, Maverick runs to answer it. He figures it’s Shawn or King, and sure enough, it’s King—with Iesha draped over him. She reaches for Seven, but Maverick steps back and asks what’s going on. Ma comes into the hallway and seems suspicious. Then, she purses her lips and asks Maverick and Iesha to follow her into the bedroom.
Though Maverick knows Granny and Ma love him, he’s still hoping that whoever’s at the door can offer him a much-needed escape from their scolding and disapproval. When King shows up with Iesha, Maverick realizes that his main loyalty is to his son, not his friend.
Themes
Maverick brings Seven in with them, and Ma closes the door. She fixes Iesha with a glare and asks where she’s been; Iesha should’ve been checking in. Iesha and Maverick argue about who’s had a harder time parenting Seven, but Ma cuts them off. Iesha looks down and mumbles that she felt bad and couldn’t handle it—and Seven doesn’t need her when she’s in “that bad space.” Ma sighs and says that this week, they’re all going to Cousin Gary’s. Iesha is going to make Maverick Seven’s legal father, change Seven’s name, and give Maverick custody, which he needs to get government assistance. They can do this the easy way, or they can go to court.
Though Ma acknowledges that Iesha went through a rough time parenting Seven all by herself, she also makes it clear that parents owe it to their children to be there for them. Now, Ma insists that the way Iesha can best support Seven is by doing the paperwork to make sure that Maverick is able to receive government assistance so that he can care for Seven to the best of his abilities. The fact that it’s Ma saying these things shows Maverick clearly that Ma is on his side and will support him.
Themes
Iesha frets that she won’t be able to see Seven, but Ma says they’ll start with one visitation day a week. Finally, Iesha asks if she can have Seven now. Maverick hands him over, but Seven cries and reaches for Maverick. Ma reminds Iesha that she hasn’t been around for months; Seven will need time. Aunt ‘Nita calls for dinner, and they leave the room.
In general, infants get attached to the people they see frequently—and Iesha hasn’t been in Seven’s life for months. So, to him, she’s not someone he knows is trustworthy, even though she’s his mother. Though this is heartbreaking for Iesha, for Maverick, this just drives home how present he’s been as a parent.
Themes
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The family joins hands in the kitchen so that Granny can say grace. Grace takes 15 minutes, and Maverick is ready to die of shame when Granny asks God to help Maverick stop making babies. When it’s over, Maverick gets Seven into his highchair. Ma tells Maverick to eat and says that Iesha will feed Seven, loudly enough for everyone to hear. Iesha comes over immediately when she sees Ma’s glare, and Maverick smiles. He fixes himself two plates and then heads to the porch, where he and Dre used to sit.
Though Maverick feels ashamed, his family issues aren’t as severe compared to Lisa’s, as her mom kicked her out when she discovered Lisa was pregnant. Maverick’s family, for all their faults, is going to be there for him and make sure that he never feels like he has to be a parent all on his own.
Themes
King comes out the front door and sits down with Maverick like nothing is wrong. Maverick asks what’s up with him being back together with Iesha and bringing her here, but King insists that with Maverick not being around much, he didn’t think he needed to share. Suddenly, a rusty Datsun screeches to a stop in front of the house, interrupting Maverick and King’s argument. Carlos flies out of the car and punches Maverick in the eye. He drags Maverick onto the yard and beats him until King and three of Ma’s cousins drag him off. Carlos screams at Maverick that he ruined Lisa’s life, and then he drives away.
The rift developing between Maverick and King is becoming more and more apparent. To Maverick, it’s ridiculous that King would be back with Iesha and not encourage Iesha to check up on her son. But to King, Maverick doesn’t deserve to know anything about his life if Maverick isn’t going to play an active role in the gang or in their friendship anymore. Maverick is, essentially, being forced to choose between his friends and his son.
Themes
