Themes

The main themes of the short story “Debbie and Julie” by Doris Lessing are knowledge versus ignorance, and love and intimacy, as well as choices and their consequences. Using the topic of teen pregnancy, the author explores these themes by focusing on the impact of such an event on a teenager and by illustrating possible causes that led to the pregnancy and Julie’s subsequent actions (running away from home and abandoning her baby).

Knowledge versus ignorance 

The theme of knowledge and ignorance is illustrated through Julie’s character. Julie is a teenager who did not know much about life or intimacy. Brought up in a family deprived of affection, Julie ends up pregnant because she does not have a lot of knowledge about relationships and sexuality.

The boy who got Julie pregnant was not her boyfriend and it is possible that Julie was actually raped, because Julie claimed she did not want to have sex but the boy insisted: “It was four months after they had tussled and shoved and giggled, she saying No no, and he saying, Oh come on, then.” (p. 104, ll. 3-5)

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Intimacy

The theme of love and intimacy is explored through Julie’s relationships with Billy, her parents, and Debbie. Although Julie got pregnant with Billy, their relationship had nothing to do with love and intimacy, but with teenage desire. At home, Julie’s parents raised her without affection and intimacy (nudity was avoided, she doesn't remember being touched or cuddled by her parents, and her parents slept in separate beds).

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Choices

The theme of choices and their consequences is explored through most of the characters in the short story. Firstly, Julie’s parents’ coldness is described as a choice: “They never raised their voices, or argued. Each day was a pattern of cups of teas, meals (…). It was as if they had switched themselves off.” (pp. 104-105, ll. 34-2)

This choice has negative consequences for the whole family. Julie grew up ignorant of intimacy and deprived of affection and love, while the two parents become estranged from each other.

Debbie’s choice to leave with the American man has consequences for her friendship with Julie. Debbie cannot be there when Julie gives birth and, in a way, disappoints Julie. In other words, Debbie chooses her relationship with a man over her friendship with Julie.

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