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Chapter 14
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Deadly, Unna?, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Race, Injustice, and Action
Courage and Masculinity
Duty and Sacrifice
Teamwork and Family
Summary
Analysis
Back at home, Blacky begs his mom to let him attend the victory celebration along with the rest of the town. His mom refuses because the doctor said he should rest after his concussion. Blacky insists, saying he could die of a random shark attack tomorrow, knowing his mother’s fear of sharks. Finally, his mom agrees to let him go.
Blacky’s mother cares for her son even if it means they both must sacrifice the chance to go to the party. However, Blacky knows exactly how to manipulate his mom to get what he wants.
Themes
The whole town is gathered for the party. Blacky goes and sits with Dumby and the rest of the team. All of his teammates clap for him. Dumby has saved Blacky a seat even though no one thought he’d be able to come. Arks sits at the head of the table, basking in the glory of finally winning a grand final. Everyone from the town keeps congratulating him. He tells Blacky that he loves him and Blacky feels embarrassed.
Dumby once again proves his value as a friend by looking out for Blacky even when Blacky wasn’t there yet to appreciate it, demonstrating how baseless the racial divides in their town are. Arks’s adoration embarrasses Blacky both because he knows he does not deserve it and also because his own father never shows him any affection.
Themes
Blacky and Dumby go to get food. Blacky asks Dumby why he passed the ball to Clemboy. Dumby says Clemboy hadn’t gotten to kick the ball all day and he didn’t want Clemboy to be embarrassed, because he’s Dumby’s cousin. Blacky says that all the Point players seem to be Dumby’s cousins, and Dumby agrees. Blacky says he’ll never understand indigenous people and Dumby responds that he’ll never understand white people. They both laugh.
Dumby embodies what it means to be a team player by putting the feelings of others above his own. He learned this value from his community, the very community the Port looks down upon. Blacky and Dumby’s honest but lighthearted discussion of these different values shows how connection and dialogue can begin to breakdown racial misunderstandings.
Themes
Blacky sees his father, who is drinking and laughing. He decides not to go talk to him. He and Dumby go to get more food. Blacky begins talking to Clarence. He asks where their mother is, but Clarence says their mother doesn’t like coming to the Port. Blacky realizes that, even though half the team is from the Point, there aren’t many indigenous people at the party. Clarence invites Blacky to come smoke with her outside and he agrees, even though he doesn’t especially like smoking.
When Blacky is feeling secure and happy, like he is at that moment, he feels less inclined to seek the approval of his father. Blacky’s conversation with Clarence causes him to realize that there are few indigenous people at the party and in fact, that members of the Point don’t feel welcome in the Port. This shows how simply talking to a member of another race can increase one’s awareness of racial issues.
Themes
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