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Chapter 1
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Boy Overboard, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Immigration, Family, and Home
Identity and Ancestry
Hope
Gender and Discrimination
Summary
Analysis
Jamal calls for Bibi to watch out for the landmines. He tells her to stay still and begs silently for her to be safe. He cannot find her, but he knows a landmine has not gone off because he would have heard it. He realizes how far Bibi must have kicked the ball, and he finally spies her running across the desert. The ball is stopped against an abandoned tank. Following her footsteps, Jamal catches up with Bibi, who angrily asks why he followed her. Her feelings are hurt that Jamal thought she could not get the ball herself.
This scene illustrates the sense of responsibility that Jamal has for his younger sister. Because of her impulsive, willful personality, he has to watch out for her safety, even if his concern often goes unappreciated. Here, for instance, Bibi is hurt that Jamal followed her into the desert. Unaware of the threat of landmines, she believes he didn’t think she could retrieve the ball herself, offending her sense of independence.
Themes
Jamal makes up an excuse for why he followed her, claiming that their parents will be worried if they’re not home soon. Bibi says they won’t because she left them a note saying she went to play football. Jamal is shocked and tells her they need to rip up the note. If someone finds it their parents will be in trouble—almost as much trouble as if they were caught for running an illegal school.
Sensing her hurt, Jamal makes up an excuse for why he followed her, illustrating his protective, kind nature. He does not want to hurt her pride. However, Jamal is upset about the note Bibi left behind. Given their parents’ illegal activities, Jamal does not want to give the government any reason to investigate them. Once again, Bibi’s thoughtless impulsivity endangers their family, and Jamal is forced to take care of it.
Themes
Jamal runs to grab the ball, but when he gets close to the tank he realizes it is not abandoned, it’s just parked. The gun barrel turns to point directly at him, and Jamal is terrified. He tells Bibi to run, hoping the tank won’t shoot at them. Instead, Bibi begins to throw rocks at the tank, yelling at it to return their ball.
Bibi reckless rebelliousness is on full display here. Instead of cowering from the tank, she begins to throw rocks at it, demanding it return their ball. Though Jamal’s family seems to encourage Bibi to be independent at home (despite the government’s wish that she be demure and quiet), her rebellious nature once again puts her and Jamal in danger.
Themes
