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Themes In Boys Of Blood And Bone

Decent Essays

The novel Boys of Blood and Bone by David Metzenthen tells the stories of two young Australians: Andy Lansell who fought in world war one and Henry Lyon, an eighteen year old who becomes involved in the legacy of Lansell. Through the themes of family, duty and death, Metzenthen’s social comments are revealed.

Firstly, Metzenthen uses the theme of family in the novel through some key events involving a main protagonist, Henry Lyon, and his parents. This theme is evident in the novel when Henry and Janine discuss their trip to France, Janine asks him if his parents accept Janine’s proposal of Henry joining her on their journey to France. “Henry was not prepared to concede that his folks ran his life.” (pg. 245) and “As long as I don’t drop my …show more content…

A main character, Henry Lyon, shows a sense of duty in some occasions. The theme of duty is obvious in the novel when Henry feels bound to read Andy’s diary. “Henry shut the diary. He couldn’t imagine how he’d go fighting off a German raiding party. He doubted he’d ever get over it, even if he did survive.” (pg. 125) This quote demonstrates how Henry feels trapped when he reads the diary but nonetheless continues to further read it, which has relation to duty. David Metzenthen comments on social issues by representing the thought that no matter if something is making you feel imprisoned, you must carry on and finished what you started. Likewise, in Henry we see a sense of duty as further along the novel he continues to read the diary. Metzenthen effectively educates readers on the idea of duty and how it shows that people in Australia’s society can finish their plans if they set their mind to …show more content…

Again, a main protagonist, Henry, links to the theme of death through some key events involving a character who was once alive in the novel but is now dead. This theme is evident when Henry’s “friend” named Trot, dies in an unexpected car crash. “Trot was dead. Dead. The word, although Henry had not said it out loud, began to take on some form, as if it was solidifying. He’d never had to deal with the word, or the world like this before. Trot was dead. He was gone. Now. Gone. Henry sat, hands draped, the silver case of his watch glittering at the corner of his eye. He felt weak and infinitely clueless.” (pg. 174) This quote establishes how Henry was completely and utterly shocked about the death of his friend. He couldn’t even bring himself up to saying the word. This shows a huge similarity to how individuals react to the death of a friend in today’s society. Metzenthen strongly represents the theme of death using Henry’s character. Similarly, with Henry, we sense that he is weary and heartsick over the thought of death. Throughout the novel, the author is able to illustrate the idea of death, and show how many people in today’s society also see it as a horrible and heartbreaking

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