Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Noughts and Crosses, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Racism, Division, and Tragedy
Awareness and Privilege
Love, Lust, Power, and Violence
Friendship
Youth, Innocence, and Growing Up
Family
Summary
Analysis
The secretary shows Mum and Callum into Mr. Stanhope’s office; the lawyer called them here for some urgent reason. Mr. Stanhope asks why his phone calls haven’t been getting through. Mum and Callum explain that they’re staying with relatives because they’ve gotten hate mail—and bricks through their windows.
The hate mail and property damage show that even though the police aren’t targeting Mum and Callum like they’re targeting Dad, Mum and Callum are still at risk. Society at large—which is racist and assumes they’re guilty—is going to punish Mum and Callum for their perceived involvement.
Themes
Mr. Stanhope says that he has good news: he can take the case, with Kelani Adams’s help. Kelani Adams is a world-renowned Cross attorney. Mr. Stanhope says an anonymous benefactor offered to pay the legal fees. Mum insists they can’t accept charity, but Mr. Stanhope says this is Dad’s only chance. Mum turns to Callum. Callum wants Mum to make the decisions, but he says they should accept the help. Secretly, Callum knows Sephy sent the money, and he vows to pay her back.
For Mum, learning that someone is offering to pay the legal fees is a blessing—but it also makes her feel powerless and highlights her precarious financial situation. When she asks Callum for his opinion, she’s trying to make Callum feel more mature and as though he has a say in things. This is an attempt to help Callum retain some of his dignity.
Themes
