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 runs faster than he ever has toward Sephy’s house, begging God to help him. Just as he reaches the rose garden, he sees a car pull out of the drive—with Sephy and Mother inside. Sephy is looking down. Callum shouts for her and runs after the car. He even meets the driver’s eyes in the rearview, but the car accelerates. Callum trips and falls. The car is now out of sight. Callum feels like he’s watching his dreams disappear.
This is a huge turning point for both Callum and Sephy, as Sephy doesn’t know that Callum came after her. In particular, Callum’s belief that he’s “watching his dreams disappear” suggests that he’s not actually that sold on joining the LM—he’d really rather be with Sephy. But for now, he’ll have to follow through with the LM.
Themes
