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- Boys Don't Cry: the characters
Boys Don't Cry: the characters
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The title is a stereotype the novel sets out to challenge: the male characters must learn to show their feelings.
Dante
Ambitious and focused at first, worried about how others see him.
He resents Emma at first but grows into a loving, responsible father.
He learns that showing emotion is not weakness.
He resents Emma at first but grows into a loving, responsible father.
He learns that showing emotion is not weakness.
Adam
Confident, funny and openly gay, unlike his brother who hides his feelings.
The attack leaves him physically and emotionally hurt.
With his family's support, he begins to recover.
The attack leaves him physically and emotionally hurt.
With his family's support, he begins to recover.
Dad, Melanie and Josh
Dad: strict and old-fashioned about masculinity at first, but becomes more open and supportive.
Melanie: feels unable to cope with motherhood and leaves Emma with Dante.
Josh: Dante's former friend, aggressive and homophobic, who leads the attack on Adam.
Melanie: feels unable to cope with motherhood and leaves Emma with Dante.
Josh: Dante's former friend, aggressive and homophobic, who leads the attack on Adam.
How does Dad change during the novel?
- At first he holds traditional views that boys should hide emotion.
- The crisis with Emma and Adam's attack forces him to open up.
- He becomes a more supportive, loving father.
Answer: He moves from old-fashioned ideas about masculinity to open support and love.
Dante: ambitious, grows into a loving father. Adam: confident, openly gay, attacked, recovers. Dad: traditional, then supportive. Melanie: cannot cope. Josh: aggressive and homophobic.
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