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
Callum enters a burger joint and waits in line. Dad was murdered in July, and since then, Callum feels like something in him has died too. Officially, Dad’s death was a suicide. All noughts know that’s not true, though. Callum hasn’t seen Sephy since that night he spent with her; Sarah made it impossible for him to sneak back in. He’s gone to the beach a few times, but that’s starting to feel childish. When Callum gets his food, he sits down to eat. He’s not hungry; he just needs something to do. Mum has been out of it, and Jude is still missing. Callum is only 16 and a half, but it feels like his life is over.
As Callum’s family and friendships disappear and fracture, he feels increasingly alone and unable to make sense of the trauma he’s experienced. But though Callum can’t really process his trauma, he does find that he’s starting to grow up. The spot on the beach represented his and Sephy’s youth and their innocence, and it’s only because Callum is starting to feel more adult that the beach now feels childish.
Themes
Callum is shocked when Jude sits down opposite him. Jude says he knows what happened to Dad, and it’s time for payback. He’s clearly nervous and praises Callum for leaving Heathcroft. Then, he asks if Callum would like to do something “worthwhile,” and says someone will be in touch. Callum isn’t to tell Mum anything, and Callum has to decide if he’s in or not. Callum knows what Jude is asking: if Callum is ready to join the Liberation Militia. When Jude says that this is Callum’s chance to make a difference, Callum suddenly feels like he has purpose. He says he’s in. Jude tells Callum to go home, pack a bag, and say goodbye to Mum.
Where working toward an education or even considering a relationship with Sephy didn’t make Callum feel at peace or as though he was doing anything useful, the way that Jude frames joining the LM makes Callum feel at last like there’s something he can do to help his world. This makes sense, given how Callum’s other attempts to change things have failed. Trying to integrate Heathcroft peacefully was just traumatic—but in the LM, Callum can feel like he has some power.
Themes
