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Chapter 35
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
Will is terrified by the emotional vulnerability that comes with being in a relationship with Rachel, but he makes peace with it because being with her is worth the risk. He understands that she has irrevocably changed a part of him, and there’s no choice but to move forward into uncharted, yet thrilling, territory. In an effort to impress her, Will begins regularly taking Marcus and Ali—who now get along much better than during their first encounter—to the movies, and he finds that he genuinely enjoys the outings as well.
Initially, Will is fearful of the emotional risks involved in his relationship with Rachel. His willingness to embrace this vulnerability demonstrates significant personal growth, indicating that he values his relationship with Rachel enough to finally overcome his fears. This change is not only for Rachel, but also for Marcus and Ali, as Will’s efforts to impress Rachel lead him to engage more deeply in their lives. The fact that Will genuinely enjoys these outings suggests a newfound ability to find joy in relationships and responsibilities that he previously avoided.
Themes
Over time, Marcus naturally comes more into his own. He develops his own sense of style and maintains regular haircuts, and he makes a sincere effort to be more mindful of his spontaneous singing. He also develops closer friendships with Ellie and Zoe, who encourage him to embrace his teenage identity all the more. A consequence of this growth, Will observes, is that Marcus is now more cautious in his speech. While Will misses Marcus’s quirky remarks, he simultaneously understands that this increased awareness is a good thing. It strikes Will as ironic that, while Marcus has become calmer and more self-assured, Will is now the one who feels afraid all the time.
Marcus’s evolution from a quirky, socially awkward child into a more self-assured teenager marks the culmination of his gradual transformation. Now, he’s comfortable in his own skin. Will’s observation of Marcus’s cautiousness in speech highlights the trade-offs of growing up—Marcus’s funny remarks, which Will misses, are replaced by a more mature, considered approach. The irony that Will now feels the same fear that Marcus once did adds another layer of depth to their relationship, showing how their roles have shifted over time. Will’s primary fear is no longer the fear of emotional vulnerability; rather, it is the fear that he will lose access to his emotions, and thus lose access to the people he has grown to love.
Themes
On one of their outings, Marcus and Ali strike up a conversation about whether Will will marry Rachel one day. Marcus explains how he once wanted Will to marry his mum but eventually realized it was a bad idea, because if they dated and didn’t stay together, it could potentially jeopardize Marcus’s whole support system. Will can’t help but notice how challenging it has become to argue with Marcus, who is maturing so quickly that he is practically older than Will himself.
The conversation between Marcus and Ali about Will’s potential marriage to Rachel demonstrates Marcus’s growing understanding of adult relationships and their various complexities. Marcus’s reflection on his past wish for Will to marry his mum reveals his deep concern for stability and his ability to think critically about the implications of relationships on his support system. Will’s realization of how difficult it is to argue with Marcus highlights Marcus’s rapid maturation and wisdom beyond his years.
Themes
Fiona echoes Will’s private observation that Marcus has seemed much older lately, and she suspects he might even be smoking cigarettes. Will, trying to lighten the mood, reminds her that they would have wished for this kind of teenage rebellion only a few months earlier. Despite Fiona’s worries, she admits to feeling better recently, which Will is glad to hear. He reflects on the changes that have occurred in all their lives: he sacrificed his previous detachment for deeper connections, Fiona lost a part of Marcus but gained resiliency and support, and Marcus finally became a kid. When Marcus emerges from his room, grumpy and bored, Will opportunistically proposes a piano sing-along to a Joni Mitchell song, testing the waters of their family dynamic. Marcus doesn’t want to sing and is clearly uncomfortable, but this reassures Will that, despite the changes, Marcus will be just fine.
This final section highlights the overarching changes in these characters’ lives and their evolving family dynamic. Fiona’s acknowledgment of Marcus’s maturity and her suspicion of teenage rebellion reflect her adjustment to Marcus’s growth and the typical anxieties of parenthood. Will’s attempt to lighten the mood and his reflection on their collective transformations reveal his deeper understanding of and connection to his new chosen family. He notes that his own emotional growth has come with sacrifices but has ultimately led to more meaningful relationships. Fiona’s improved mental health and Marcus’s transition into a more typical teenage role also signify positive developments. The piano sing-along proposal to a Joni Mitchell song—formerly one of Marcus’s favorite musicians—and Marcus’s blatant refusal serve as a metaphor for the family’s ongoing adaptation to change. Will’s belief that Marcus will be fine, despite his discomfort, encapsulates the novel’s message of growth, resilience, and the enduring bonds of family and friendship.
Themes
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