Themes
In the first 100 pages of the book, the themes that have been shown are:
• Racism
• Violence
• Discrimination
• Friendship
• Courage
• Betrayal
Racism
The theme "Racism" is shown in this book, as noughts and Crosses call each other "Blankers" and "Daggers". In this book, noughts and crosses despise each other. In the country, Pangaea, the noughts and Crosses are separated into different schools. The Crosses go to the richer school called Heathcroft, which offers better education leading the students into University. The noughts go to more run-down and less educated schools, that does not lead to University. A few noughts passed an exam for, Heathcroft High school, which caused political conflicts, as many Crosses did not accept this change. The Crosses formed a "mob" when the noughts came to Heathcroft for the first time, chanting "NO BLANKERS IN OUR SCHOOL" and attempting to harm the nought students - page 55. The noughts may have been accepted into the school academically, but the people in the school - including teachers - did not accept them. A quote from the novel shows that noughts and Crosses are racist to each other: "If you're black, that's where it's at. If you're brown, stick around. If you're white, say goodnight". This quote shows how people are judged in Pangaea's society.
This theme relates to the real world today, as people judge each other by the colour of their skin/ethnicity, instead of their chracteristics. So this novel is quite similar today modern society, except people with white skin are the dominant ones, looking down on the dark skinned people. An example of this is the Black Civil Rights Movement in 1955-1968.
Violence
Many examples of "Violence" are shown in this book, there are also examples of Family Violence. Family violence is shown between Jasmine Hadley (Sephy's Mother) and Kamal Hadley (Sephy's Father) when Kamal slaps his wife full across the face - page 10. Also, on page 119-122, when Ryan McGregor (Callum's Father) slaps his son, Jude, across the face. Jude had just been in a fight with his sister Lynette. Violence is shown when Sephy gets beaten up at school by three girls because she sat with noughts at lunch.
Discrimination
Discrimination is shown in this book quite often. An example of this is when the noughts get accepted into Heathcroft, the teachers and students do not treat them as equals. This is because Crosses are the dominant race, and treat noughts poorly as they are the underclass citizens of Pangaea. Discrimination relates to the theme racism, as the Crosses treat noughts poorly because of the colour of their skin.
Friendship
friendship is a theme which is portrayed strongly through the novel noughts and Crosses. Sephy and Callum show one of the deepest forms of friendship. They are able to remain best friends even though they are different colours and are disobeying the rules of society. They are careful with their relationship though and meet each other at Sephy's private beach and even have a secret phone call so that they know it's each other and their parents wont know they're talking. This dialogue between Sephy and Callum show how greater friends they truly are. "“So why did you want to kiss me?" We're friends aren't we?" Callum shrugged. I relaxed into a smile. "Of course we are." "And if you can't kiss your friends who can you kiss?" Callum smiled.”
Courage
Courage is a theme shown all throughout the novel. Particularly between Sephy and Callum. They have the courage to go against society and be friends regardless of their skin colour. Another point of courage in the book is when Callum's Dad takes the blame for the Dundale shopping centre bomb to save Jude, his son. He knew what the outcome of this would be but he had enough courage to sacrifice himself and save his son. This picture reminds me of when Callum started at Heathcroft school. Callum is the cat and the dogs are the crosses. They all ogled at him and made him feel unwanted but he had enough courage to deal with it and carry on with all the hurdles in the way. "I signed a confession admitting to all the charges....." Ryan McGregor said " They said they had Jude - and proof he was the bomber. They said someone had to take the blame for the Dundale bomb and it was up to me who took the fall." That was a very courageous move Ryan McGregor did to save his son.
Betrayal
Betrayal is a theme which is more evident during the later half of the novel. This theme is shown when Callum invites Sephy to the beach and then
captures her. The beach, where Sephy was capture, turns from a symbol of friendship to a symbol of betrayal. "could we meet tonight around nine o'clock at our special place. Its very important" Callum wrote in the letter. These words unbeknown to Sephy was the start of Callum's betrayal of their friendship. I chose this picture because it's like Callum kicking Sephy in the back with his harsh actions and her being oblivious to it coming.
• Racism
• Violence
• Discrimination
• Friendship
• Courage
• Betrayal
Racism
The theme "Racism" is shown in this book, as noughts and Crosses call each other "Blankers" and "Daggers". In this book, noughts and crosses despise each other. In the country, Pangaea, the noughts and Crosses are separated into different schools. The Crosses go to the richer school called Heathcroft, which offers better education leading the students into University. The noughts go to more run-down and less educated schools, that does not lead to University. A few noughts passed an exam for, Heathcroft High school, which caused political conflicts, as many Crosses did not accept this change. The Crosses formed a "mob" when the noughts came to Heathcroft for the first time, chanting "NO BLANKERS IN OUR SCHOOL" and attempting to harm the nought students - page 55. The noughts may have been accepted into the school academically, but the people in the school - including teachers - did not accept them. A quote from the novel shows that noughts and Crosses are racist to each other: "If you're black, that's where it's at. If you're brown, stick around. If you're white, say goodnight". This quote shows how people are judged in Pangaea's society.
This theme relates to the real world today, as people judge each other by the colour of their skin/ethnicity, instead of their chracteristics. So this novel is quite similar today modern society, except people with white skin are the dominant ones, looking down on the dark skinned people. An example of this is the Black Civil Rights Movement in 1955-1968.
Violence
Many examples of "Violence" are shown in this book, there are also examples of Family Violence. Family violence is shown between Jasmine Hadley (Sephy's Mother) and Kamal Hadley (Sephy's Father) when Kamal slaps his wife full across the face - page 10. Also, on page 119-122, when Ryan McGregor (Callum's Father) slaps his son, Jude, across the face. Jude had just been in a fight with his sister Lynette. Violence is shown when Sephy gets beaten up at school by three girls because she sat with noughts at lunch.
Discrimination
Discrimination is shown in this book quite often. An example of this is when the noughts get accepted into Heathcroft, the teachers and students do not treat them as equals. This is because Crosses are the dominant race, and treat noughts poorly as they are the underclass citizens of Pangaea. Discrimination relates to the theme racism, as the Crosses treat noughts poorly because of the colour of their skin.
Friendship
friendship is a theme which is portrayed strongly through the novel noughts and Crosses. Sephy and Callum show one of the deepest forms of friendship. They are able to remain best friends even though they are different colours and are disobeying the rules of society. They are careful with their relationship though and meet each other at Sephy's private beach and even have a secret phone call so that they know it's each other and their parents wont know they're talking. This dialogue between Sephy and Callum show how greater friends they truly are. "“So why did you want to kiss me?" We're friends aren't we?" Callum shrugged. I relaxed into a smile. "Of course we are." "And if you can't kiss your friends who can you kiss?" Callum smiled.”
Courage
Courage is a theme shown all throughout the novel. Particularly between Sephy and Callum. They have the courage to go against society and be friends regardless of their skin colour. Another point of courage in the book is when Callum's Dad takes the blame for the Dundale shopping centre bomb to save Jude, his son. He knew what the outcome of this would be but he had enough courage to sacrifice himself and save his son. This picture reminds me of when Callum started at Heathcroft school. Callum is the cat and the dogs are the crosses. They all ogled at him and made him feel unwanted but he had enough courage to deal with it and carry on with all the hurdles in the way. "I signed a confession admitting to all the charges....." Ryan McGregor said " They said they had Jude - and proof he was the bomber. They said someone had to take the blame for the Dundale bomb and it was up to me who took the fall." That was a very courageous move Ryan McGregor did to save his son.
Betrayal
Betrayal is a theme which is more evident during the later half of the novel. This theme is shown when Callum invites Sephy to the beach and then
captures her. The beach, where Sephy was capture, turns from a symbol of friendship to a symbol of betrayal. "could we meet tonight around nine o'clock at our special place. Its very important" Callum wrote in the letter. These words unbeknown to Sephy was the start of Callum's betrayal of their friendship. I chose this picture because it's like Callum kicking Sephy in the back with his harsh actions and her being oblivious to it coming.