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Mateo, 1:52 a.m.
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in They Both Die at the End, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Mortality, Life, and Meaning
Human Connection and Social Media
Choices and Consequences
Friendship and Chosen Family
Business, Ethics, and Dehumanization
Summary
Analysis
Rufus changes into his cycling gear, grabs his helmet, and leaves the light on when he leaves the room—he doesn’t want Malcolm and Tagoe to feel weird about entering. Malcolm, Tagoe, Francis, and Jenn-Lori are there; Rufus also hopes that Aimee is going to come. Jenn-Lori dries her eyes, pulls Rufus into a hug, and cries some more. Rufus doesn’t want her to let go. He tries to make jokes and engage everyone in a group game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Aimee arrives and asks if Rufus is kidding. Rufus thinks she’s asking about his End Day, but she steps aside to reveal Peck, bruised and bleeding.
Leaving the light on for his friends makes it clear that Rufus is a thoughtful and generous person. Even as he faces down his own death, his only thought is to make this situation better for his friends. Jenn-Lori’s display of affection shows again that people don’t need to be blood family to love each other deeply and provide support. As a foster mom, she’s still losing a child she cared for, even if Rufus isn’t her biological son.
Themes
