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Chapter 9
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Ghost, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Running and Trauma
Poverty
Friendship
Arrogance and Humility
Summary
Analysis
Ghost’s first track meet is on a Saturday, which means his mother, Aunt Sophie, and King can all come to cheer him on. Ghost’s mother warns Aunt Sophie not to be late so they can all take the bus to the track together, but she shows up at the last minute anyway. Before leaving, Ghost changes into his uniform. As he walks out of his bedroom, his mother spots him and tells him that he looks great. Quickly, Ghost, his mother, Aunt Sophie, and King make their way to the bus station. However, they miss the bus by a few minutes.
Finally, race day has arrived, and Ghost is prepped to run for someone else (his family and the track team) rather than just for himself. In addition to running for his teammates, he will also be running for his mother, Aunt Sophie, and King, whose presence he deeply appreciates. However, before he can do so, he must avoid being late, which has been another recurring problem throughout the novel.
Themes
Ghost tells them it is no big deal; they can walk and still make it to the track on time. On the way to the track, Ghost passes by Mr. Charles’s store. Although he is low on time, he decides to quickly stop in to show Mr. Charles his uniform. Mr. Charles wishes him good luck and hands him a packet of sunflower seeds on the house. Eventually, Ghost and his family make it to the track, which has way more people than Ghost is used to.
Luckily, Ghost is prepared and even has some extra time to pop in and see Mr. Charles. The sunflower seeds Mr. Charles gifts Ghost is a symbol of their friendship, which is just the type of gesture Ghost needs to pump him up for race day. Meanwhile, Ghost’s reaction to the crowded track demonstrates that he is only now coming to terms with how important the race will be for the broader community.
Themes
Ghost’s family goes to sit in the stands, while he walks over to his team. Lu’s mother is there handing everyone orange slices, as is Coach Brody’s wife, who hands out Gatorade. Ghost thanks them but tells them he is all set—sunflower seeds are all he needs. Then, Coach Brody tells everyone who will be running each race. At first, Ghost worries that he will not be running at all because Coach Brody gives Lu the 100 and the 200-meter dash. However, he then asks Ghost if he will run the 100-meter dash as well, and Ghost happily accepts.
The presence of everyone’s families indicates that races are community events where many people play a part. Although Ghost still retains some of his individuality by rejecting everything except his sunflower seeds, he also feels like he has become one component of a larger team. Coach Brody senses that the last few weeks have marked a significant change in Ghost, and he rewards Ghost by allowing him to run alongside Lu in the most important event.
Themes
When it is time for their race, Ghost and Lu make their way to the starting line. There, Ghost spots Brandon Simmons, who runs for a different team in the city. Ghost walks over to Brandon, shocked. As usual, Brandon is nasty to him, but before Ghost can say anything, Lu comes over and backs him up. Then, Ghost and Lu take their places, as the race is about to begin. For a moment, there is dead silence. Then, a gunshot goes off, and the race begins.
This time, Brandon does not bother Ghost because Lu has his back. Although Brandon gives Ghost extra motivation to win the race, he feels no need to retaliate in any other manner. The race begins with a gunshot—a reminder of Ghost’s trauma. However, this time, Ghost is running toward a goal that he hopes to achieve rather than away from something he fears.
Themes
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