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Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Hate Race, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Racial Discrimination in Australia
Racism, Childhood, and Loss of Innocence
Race and Beauty Standards
Injustice and Complicity
The Power of Words
Summary
Analysis
Maxine loves her room, which she’s made her own since moving out of her shared room with Cecelia. She especially values her desk, where she does all of her homework. As a result of the harassment she faces at school, Maxine has a strong drive to do well in class and outperform her bullies. One day, she is preparing to do homework when she finds a note in her bag. The note says, “FUCK OFF BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM,” and drawn over the writing is a gun bull’s-eye target. Maxine sits on her bed. She thinks of how, in movies, these threats often escalate to horrific violence, but she doesn’t feel scared. Instead, she just feels sad and angry that one of her classmates hates her enough to do such a thing.
This note marks an unsettling escalation in the racism that Maxine faces at school. Particularly concerning about the note is the drawing of a gun scope, a clear threat of violence. However, Maxine is less concerned about the note from a safety standpoint and more from an interpersonal one. It’s inconceivable to her that a classmate would kill her, but painfully believable that one would seethe in quiet hatred of her and be willing to send something so vile.
Themes
Maxine continues to get racist notes, but she refuses to confide in anyone, not wanting her classmates to find out and increase the humiliation. However, she keeps an eye out for anyone leaving notes, especially in her bag, since students leave them outside during class. However, she doesn’t see anything. One day, her math teacher, Mr. Stegall, confiscates one of the notes from her and, after seeing the contents, sends her to the counselor. Maxine is uncooperative, sarcastically telling the counselor that the notes are “just a bit of teasing.” Afterwards, all of Maxine’s classmates are interrogated, but the culprit is never found. Eventually, Maxine discovers her sketchbook torn to shreds, and the notes never appear again.
The school’s lack of action with regards to racism has taught Maxine to keep quiet about the notes despite their concerning nature. When they finally come to light, the response confirms Maxine’s instincts, with Maxine essentially being put on the spot despite the bad behavior of one of her classmates. Maxine’s sarcastic response about the notes being “just a bit of teasing” echoes the counselor’s previous description of the racist harassment that Maxine.
Themes
