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Part 4: Bargaining
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The 57 Bus, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Gender and Sexuality
Adolescent Crime vs. Adult Crime
Binary Thought and Inclusive Language
Discrimination and Social Justice
Accountability, Redemption, and Forgiveness
Summary
Analysis
In October, Nancy O’Malley, the district attorney, “abruptly withdraws” Richard’s five-year offer. “No! No! No!” Jasmine yells. “I’ve been nice! I’ve been polite!” The district attorney offers Richard seven years in state prison instead and tells Du Bois to “take the deal or go to trial.” Richard is led, handcuffed and shackled, into the courtroom to sign the plea.
By withdrawing Richard’s five-year offer, the DA ensures that Richard will spend more time behind bars. Richard doesn’t have a choice—it is either seven years or a potential life sentence—and his handcuffs and shackles are a reflection of what his future now holds.
Themes
