Character Analysis of Boy 21 by Matthew Quick - Essay on Literature

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick is an entrancing novel that dwells on matters basketball, friendship, love, and madness. The author who possesses an interest in mental health matters is an award-winning author known not only for Boy 21 but other famous books such as The Silver Linings Playbook that was transformed into an Oscar-winning movie featuring Bradley Cooper. Just like other novels by Matthew Quick, Boy21 narration takes readers on the same path by reflecting on the perplexing workings of its major characters. The central themes of transformation, hope, and community depicted in the book together with the excellent writing style employed by the author make Boy21 such a great success from start to the end. This essay dwells on character analysis of both the major and minor characters featured in the novel among them Finley McManus, Russ (referred to as Boy 21), and Erin (Finleys girlfriend).

The story starts with Finley who is a self-proclaimed speaker staying in an unpleasant world. Finley McManus comes from Belmont, a town that is fictional situated in Philadelphia and populated by African Americans well as blue-collar Irish (Quick 256). Upon going through the novel, one realizes that an unspeakable catastrophe has struck Finley, a thing kept hidden that has altered his view on life. Due to his unfortunate past, he has committed himself entirely to basketball game he loved most, his family and the girlfriend Erin. These are the circles of Finley McManus's life as he endeavors to survive in Belmont in the midst of all manner of violence, mob, and drugs. The racial strain is additionally palpable, and keeping in mind that his dad must work to sustain the family, Finley, on the other hand, must take care of his disabled grandfather back at home.

Finley McManus lives for basketball. The redundancy and development quiet him and shield him from considering the more significant part of the darkness his mind keeps pushing him to. He is focused to the point that he even parts ways with his girlfriend at the start of every basketball season and thus the game becomes his new sweetheart thou temporal. One cannot point the finger at him since he truly lacks something else to grant him hope.

In spite of the fact that Finley desires to see the world, to influence it from his little bubble, his anticipation lies in basketball, by frequently putting on the number 21 jersey trying to create a difference through his most loved game. Finleys life is seen going through a change with the arrival of Russ a new child in town. The new child-only answers when called by the name Boy21. Russ, as well, has persevered through a horrible disaster in California. As a result, he has now moved to Belmont where he is trying a new life. For the fact that Russ was at one time a basketball genius who as well put on a jersey with number 21, he is now not in a position to attempt basketball because of his past trauma.

Finleys character traits indicate that he wants nothing else but to concentrate on Erin and basketball. With the arrival of Boy21 (Russ), Finley is selected to aid in guiding him. Finley is cautious as he desires to complete his last year of secondary school and at the same time end the basketball season without taking a risk on his adoration for the game or relationship with Erin. As evident in the novel, the two young men become friends, strangely enough, giving them a much-required balance to face the world unlike when going it alone (Quick 256).

Matthew Quick's novel tends to the transitioning tropes of character and community, together with the perplexity frequently noticed amid the youthful stage, a period regularly implanted with matters of love, clarity, and hurt. The book portrays the characters' complex natures adding both humor and pathos to the blend, offering rich characters that symbolize more prominent themes. Despite the fact that basketball is at the focal point of the book, the narrative gives an appeal to non-sport fans. Basketball sport in the Boy21 novel takes a symbolic trope. The big game enables Finley and Russ (Boy21) to not just convey what they need more so when words lack but gives them an opportunity to speak in a social circle with others.

Boy21 novel indeed uncovers how individuals from opposite or differing sides of the world as well as social classes, can have much in common upon being accorded the chance to figure themselves out in a right manner. From the novel, Matthew Quick demonstrates how individuals are associated in several ways more than they perceive and the sense in which these links can assist people to influence change in others, and as a result, instill and bring change to the larger community.

Works Cited

Quick, Matthew. Boy 21. New York, N.Y: Little, Brown, 2013. Print.

Quick, Matthew, and Martinez J. Valero. Boy 21. , 2016. Print.

Quick, Matthew. Boy21. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012. 256 pp.