Responsibility and growing up
The theme of responsibility and growing up is explored mainly through the two main characters, Will Freeman and Marcus Brewer, and their respective journeys towards taking on greater responsibility and maturing.
At the beginning of the novel, Will Freeman is portrayed as an immature man who avoids all responsibility. He lives off the royalties of a Christmas song written by his father, which allows him to lead a carefree and self-indulgent life. He avoids commitments, including work and relationships: “ ‘I don’t think anything. You’re his mother. You make the decisions.’ ” (Chapter 18, 89%).
In contrast to Will, Marcus bears an unusual burden of responsibility and was forced to grow up too early. He is often forced to act as the adult in his relationship with his depressed mother which he is aware of and knows it is not how things should be: “This wasn’t right. He was only a kid” (Chapter 7, 33%). This situation is caused by his mother's mental health issues and her inability to provide the emotional support and stability that a child needs.
The novel follows the transformative journeys of both characters. Will's growth is sparked by his interactions with Marcus, as he gradually takes on the role of a mentor figure in the boy's life. Will's emotional and psychological growth is a result of this newfound responsibility. In turn, this allows Will to form meaningful connections with other people, such as his girlfriend Rachel...
