Analysis

An analysis of the excerpt from the novel Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas reveals that the narrative has a mostly chronological structure. The main events happen over a short period – about half an hour – but the text introduces flashbacks that reveal more about the characters’ past and background.

The main character is Maverick Carter, a 17-year-old African-American boy. In the excerpt, he is shown visiting his father, Adonis, in prison, where he introduces him to his baby son, Seven. The news that he is going to have another baby is the source of a conflict between Maverick and his father.

The main setting is Evergreen Prison, the place where Maverick’s father was sentenced to forty to life. The prison is in a predominantly white town, where white people seem to be prejudiced against Maverick and his mother.

The text has a first-person narrator, and is told from Maverick’s point of view. This makes the events more realistic and helps readers understand more about Maverick’s life choices.

The language reflects both the author’s and the characters’ African-American background. The characters use slang and non-standard grammar, which reflect their sociolect.

You can read a full analysis of the excerpt on the following pages.

Engelsk

Short story analysis

I denne vejledning får du Studienets hjælp til at analysere noveller (short stories) i engelsk.

Excerpt from the study guide:

As a narrator, Maverick is aware of his nervousness at the prospect of meeting his father and tries to make sense of what he feels: “It probably look like I'm bouncing Seven on my knee, but I can't keep my legs still. I don't know why I'm nervous, this my pops. He never come down on me”. Maverick’s perspective further helps readers understand his admiration for his father:

Pops look at me. These days we eye to eye, but I feel like a ant standing in front of a mountain - he always seem bigger than life to me. Don't know if that's 'cause folks in the Garden act like he a god or if it's just 'cause he my pops.