Noughts and Crosses

Noughts and Crosses

by

Malorie Blackman

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Noughts and Crosses makes teaching easy.

Noughts and Crosses Terms

Blanker

Blanker is an extremely offensive slur for noughts. Some noughts, like Jude, use the term to try to reclaim it in a positive way. read analysis of Blanker

Cross

Crosses are Black people; they’re in power in society because they colonized Europe and enslaved white people, or noughts. They believe their dark skin means that they’re closer to God. When used to refer… read analysis of Cross

Dagger

Dagger is an offensive term for Crosses; it’s used exclusively by noughts. read analysis of Dagger

Liberation Militia/LM

The Liberation Militia, or LM, is an underground nought resistance group fighting for equality between Crosses and noughts—sometimes through violent means. Its structure and member list are kept very secret, but it’s headed by an… read analysis of Liberation Militia/LM

Nought

Noughts are white people. Within the world of the novel, they have very little power in society. Enslaving noughts has only been illegal for about 50 years, and noughts are only just starting to integrate… read analysis of Nought
Get the entire Noughts and Crosses LitChart as a printable PDF.
Noughts and Crosses PDF

Pangaean Economic Community/PEC

The PEC is an international oversight body that has pressured Sephy and Callum’s country—an alternate version of Britain—to integrate schools by threatening sanctions. read analysis of Pangaean Economic Community/PEC