Concrete Rose

by

Angie Thomas

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Concrete Rose: Chapter 26 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Maverick would’ve rather heard that Pops bought kids shoes, not that he got people addicted to crack. He thinks that one person’s hero can be another person’s monster—or father, in his case. But he also doesn’t think he can judge, since he’s plotting to kill Red. Killing Red will take away another kid’s father, but it’s the only way to get justice for Dre.
Maverick’s conversation with Tony is forcing him to face some uncomfortable truths about Pops—which, in turn, makes Maverick think more critically about his own choices. The acknowledgement that he’ll be taking away Khalil’s father by killing Red offers hope that Maverick will be able to offer Red mercy so that he can raise his son.
Themes
Identity and Individuality Theme Icon
Loyalty, Gang Affiliation, and Family Theme Icon
Quotes
Maverick is at Evergreen Prison, waiting to see Pops. As he and the other visitors wait for the inmates, he watches mothers chasing their children around. Finally, the buzzer goes off and the inmates come in. Pops is one of the first inmates in. Neither he nor Maverick move to hug each other, so Maverick sits down and thanks Pops for seeing him. Pops says he’ll always see Maverick and asks what’s going on. Maverick looks up and thinks that Pops has every right to be upset—but it seems like he’s more likely to say “I love you” than say he’s angry.
Pops demonstrates unconditional love by meeting Maverick and not acting upset about their last visit. Parents, Pops shows, can be angry with their children—but it’s important to always show up and be there for them. In this sense, Pops is showing Maverick a different side than Maverick saw when he spoke to Tony. Now, he’s seeing Pops as a father, not as a dealer and gangster.
Themes
Masculinity and Fatherhood Theme Icon
Maverick apologizes for his behavior when he visited last, but Pops says that Maverick was right to call him out. He’s willing to forgive and forget. Though he’s not supposed to touch Maverick, he puts his fist out so Maverick can bump it. Then, Pops smiles and asks how Seven and Lisa are doing. Maverick says that Seven is crawling now, and he passes Pops a sonogram picture from Lisa’s last ultrasound. He insists it’s a boy, but Pops says to always listen to a woman’s intuition—if Lisa says it’s a girl, she’s right. Then Pops asks about Ma. Maverick says that Moe might move in, and that Ma is happy and in love. Maverick feels like he’s taking sides, but Pops assures Maverick that he and Ma will work this out.
It's significant that Maverick opens with an apology, since this is a sign that he’s becoming more willing to take responsibility for his actions. He knows that he hurt Pops, and he therefore knows that it’s his responsibility to make things right. Pops shows just how committed he is to working on his relationship with Maverick when he breaks the prison rules by bumping fists—Maverick is more important to him than following restrictive rules.
Themes
Identity and Individuality Theme Icon
Loyalty, Gang Affiliation, and Family Theme Icon
Then, Pops asks what Maverick wants to talk about. Maverick has been trying to figure that out the entire drive; he thinks he needs Pops to tell him he’s doing the right thing and “being a man.” Nervously, in coded language, Maverick says that he found Dre’s killer and that it was Red. When Pops asks if Maverick wants to deal with this, Maverick says he “know[s] the code,” but that’s not what Pop asked. Maverick remembers Dre slumped over the steering wheel and says that no one can get away with this, so Pops asks why Maverick is asking for permission. Maverick does want Pops’s permission, but he knows he’ll sound like a little kid. He stays quiet.
Pops seems to imply that by asking for permission, Maverick is showing that he doesn’t truly want to kill Red. For Maverick, killing Red is part of the rules on the street—but it’s unclear, to Pops at least, if Maverick actually wants to follow through. Asking Pops for permission, though, also reinforces that Maverick is still a kid. He still wants his father’s approval and perhaps he even feels like a young, scared child as he faces such a huge decision.
Themes
Identity and Individuality Theme Icon
Loyalty, Gang Affiliation, and Family Theme Icon
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Pops says that he’s been in Maverick’s shoes, and that Maverick will never forget it. Maverick starts to cry, and Pops puts his hand on Maverick’s cheek. A white guard barks at Pops, but a Latino guard tells the other guard to leave Pops alone. Pops quietly says that “Daddy’s here,” and Maverick sobs. He says the same thing to Seven all the time, but Maverick hasn’t heard those words in years. Maverick sobs that Dre should be here, and that he has to do this for Dre. Pops smiles a sad smile and says he thought he had to do lots of things, but all he really had to do was be there for Ma and Maverick. And he failed to do that.
Pops quietly admits here that he’s killed someone before—and it’s not an easy experience to live with. When Maverick starts to cry, it suggests that he’s taking Mr. Wyatt’s advice to heart. Now, Maverick feels more comfortable expressing his emotions and asking for support. And Pops, importantly, meets Maverick in this emotional moment and gives his son the support he needs. He also plants a very important seed for Maverick: that all Maverick ever has to do is be around for his family.
Themes
Masculinity and Fatherhood Theme Icon
Identity and Individuality Theme Icon
Loyalty, Gang Affiliation, and Family Theme Icon
Quotes
The Latino guard tells Pops to sit back, and Pops does. Pops tells Maverick that he’s not going to give him approval or permission. Maverick has to become his own man and make this choice for himself—and he needs to make the choice he can live with. At this, the buzzer goes off, ending the visitation time. Maverick stands, and Pops pulls him into a hug. After a long time, Pops tells Maverick to take care and turns away quickly. Maverick notices that Pops is crying.
Pops suggests here that part of growing up and becoming a man means making one’s own decisions. An adult, he implies, shouldn’t have to ask their parent for permission—especially for something as drastic and life-changing as killing someone. Noticing that Pops is crying as he turns away shows Maverick that it was perhaps misguided to think that men shouldn’t show their emotions.
Themes
Masculinity and Fatherhood Theme Icon
Identity and Individuality Theme Icon