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Chapter 27
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in About a Boy, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Chosen Family
Coming of Age and Maturity
Alienation and Mental Illness
Identity, Pop Culture, and Fitting In
Summary
Analysis
Marcus gleefully recounts the harrowing tale of the fight outside the newsagent’s to Will, who worries Marcus might be mistaking Ellie’s defending him for romantic interest. Will tries to explain that women aren’t usually attracted to men they have to rescue, but Marcus is too elated to pay any mind to his concerns. Comparing Marcus’s and Ellie’s relationship to that of a pet gerbil and its owner, Will asks Marcus if he’s okay with being treated like a pet. When Marcus responds affirmatively and says he “just [wants] to be with her,” Will is genuinely touched by his earnestness, however naïve it may be.
Will’s concern that Marcus may be misinterpreting Ellie’s defense as romantic interest demonstrates his effective, careful mentorship and adds a layer of realism to the situation as he attempts to explain the difference between admiration and romantic feelings. Will’s comparison of Marcus and Ellie’s relationship to that of a pet gerbil and its owner is a metaphor that speaks to Marcus’s unreciprocated devotion and naivety. Still, Marcus’s simple desire to be with Ellie, regardless of their dynamic, touches Will, demonstrating Marcus’s inclination toward sincerity and openness in all of his relationships.
Themes
Motivated in part by Marcus’s commitment to sincerity and his courage in owning his identity, often at great personal cost, Will decides to tell Rachel that he does not actually have a 12-year-old son. During dinner, his confession comes out slowly, beginning with the admission that he isn’t Marcus’s “natural father.” When prodded further, he reveals that he isn’t a father to anyone at all. Will shares almost everything with Rachel—except for the bit about manipulating the SPAT group, which he worries might be too overwhelming for her to hear about, on top of everything else he has revealed.
This moment of truth represents a significant shift for Will, as he moves from deception to honesty in his personal life. His gradual confession, starting with the clarification that he is not Marcus’s “natural father” and ending with the revelation that he is not a father at all, demonstrates his growing willingness to be vulnerable. While he omits the detail about manipulating the SPAT group, his disclosure to Rachel marks a pivotal moment in their relationship, showcasing Will’s developing integrity and willingness to face potential consequences.
Themes
To Will’s relief, Rachel takes everything much better than he anticipated and invites him back for coffee at her house. In a moment of honesty, she admits that she found Will more interesting once he revealed he was a single dad, whereas before, she thought he was “sort of blank” and not “passionate about anything.” However, she emphasizes that his relationship with Marcus is genuine and important, and she confesses she was wrong to judge him so harshly to begin with. Although this feedback doesn’t make Will feel particularly great, he believes he “deserved all he got” for finally letting his guard down and allowing himself to be fully seen. Soon, he muses bleakly, he’ll be “singing with his eyes closed,” just like Fiona.
Rachel’s reaction to Will’s confession is unexpectedly positive, and her admission that she initially found him more interesting as a single dad provides an interesting moment of reflection for Will. This feedback, though not entirely flattering, reinforces the importance of authenticity in relationships. Rachel’s recognition of the genuine bond between Will and Marcus further legitimizes Will’s growth and his evolving sense of responsibility. Despite feeling exposed and somewhat chastised, Will’s acceptance of Rachel’s criticism and his bleak musing about becoming more emotionally open, like Fiona, highlight his ongoing journey toward self-awareness.
Themes
