Previous
Chapter 8
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Boy at the Back of the Class, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Displacement, Home, and Belonging
Curiosity, Open-Mindedness, and Acceptance
Racism and Discrimination
Kindness and Friendship
Family, Wisdom, and Memory
Summary
Analysis
On Monday morning, Alexa tells Josie, Michael, and Tom about her adventure to find pomegranates, which are now her favorite fruit. The seeds of the pomegranate she tasted yesterday looked to her like beautiful rubies. When recess starts, Alexa brings her second pomegranate to the playground and gives it to Ahmet. Wide-eyed, Ahmet takes the fruit carefully and whispers, “Home.” Then he smiles at Alexa—a bright, genuine smile.
Just as Alexa hoped, the pomegranate means a lot to Ahmet because it’s familiar to him in a place where many things aren’t. In a small way, it makes his home in Syria feel less distant. Additionally, as a symbol of Alexa’s thoughtful kindness and generosity, the gift also brings Ahmet and Alexa closer together in their friendship. Though small, the pomegranate is special because it connects Ahmet to his home and to his new friend.
Active
Themes
Suddenly, Brendan the Bully takes the pomegranate right out of Ahmet’s hands. Alexa shouts at him, and when Brendan turns to face her, she feels like he’s towering over her and she’s shrinking. Nevertheless, she’s so angry that she steps forward and tries to take the pomegranate back from Brendan. Brendan just laughs and tosses it to his friends to keep it out of reach. Then Ahmet runs at Brendan, knocks him to the ground, and starts punching him.
Whereas Alexa tries hard to make Ahmet feel welcome at school, Brendan seems intent on making Ahmet feel like he doesn’t belong. So, Brendan steals the pomegranate to make Ahmet feel alone, unwanted, and powerless. By standing up to Brendan despite her fear, Alexa shows that bravely sticking up for one’s friends is an important aspect of true friendship.
Active
Themes
Mr. Irons and Mrs. Sanders run onto the playground and break up the fight. Ahmet is angry and crying. Alexa realizes his pomegranate is crushed on the ground. She and her friends explain to the teachers that the fight was Brendan the Bully’s fault, not Ahmet’s, but Mrs. Sanders punishes both of them.
Active
Themes
Alexa apologizes to Ahmet for getting him in trouble, but he just gives her a thumbs-up. On the way home from school, Tom says that everyone will want to be Ahmet’s friend now that he beat up Brendan the Bully. Alexa just hopes Ahmet won’t become one of the cool kids and stop hanging out with them.
Active
Themes
Get the entire The Boy at the Back of the Class LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
