about a boy Flashcards
Who are the main characters in ‘About a Boy’?
Marcus Brewer and Will Freeman
Marcus is 12 years old, and Will is 36 years old.
What is Marcus Brewer’s family situation?
Marcus’s parents divorced when he was 8 years old, leading to a messy life with multiple moves and new relationships for his parents.
What does Marcus worry about regarding his mother Fiona?
Marcus is concerned about Fiona’s sadness and believes she needs a new boyfriend.
Describe Will Freeman’s lifestyle.
Will spends money on a men’s magazine, does not want children, does not work, and sleeps with different women.
What is Will’s view on family and children?
Will detests family responsibility and believes children make parents unhappy.
How does Marcus feel at school?
Marcus feels he does not fit in and is bullied, which causes him to feel different due to his appearance and his mother’s lifestyle.
What humiliating experience does Marcus face in class?
Marcus accidentally starts singing loudly in class, leading to humiliation by his teacher, Ms. Maguire.
Who does Will meet in the record shop?
Will meets Angie, a single mother and model.
What is Will’s relationship with Angie like?
Will finds himself frustrated with Angie’s child and their relationship ends when she breaks up with him.
What does Marcus do when he finds Fiona crying?
He tries to find reasons for her sadness and concludes she needs a boyfriend.
What activity does Marcus engage in to cope with bullying?
Marcus plays a mental game of listing different types of chocolates.
What does Will pretend about his life?
Will pretends to be a single father with a two-year-old son named Need and has a history of pretending to volunteer.
What significant event occurs when Marcus and Will are at the park?
Marcus accidentally kills a duck while feeding it, leading to a confrontation with the park keeper.
What does Marcus find after Fiona’s suicide attempt?
He finds a suicide letter where Fiona expresses her unhappiness and feelings of worthlessness.
How does Marcus feel about Fiona’s mental health?
He feels angry and worried that she might attempt suicide again.
What does Will do to bond with Marcus?
Will calls Suzie to ask about activities to do with Marcus, aiming to prove he is cool.
What does Marcus want to achieve by getting Will and Fiona together?
Marcus hopes to stabilize their lives and create a family-like environment.
What does Will realize about Marcus’s visits?
Will recognizes that Marcus is using the visits to escape his home life.
What happens to Marcus’s new Adidas sneakers?
They are stolen the day after Will buys them to help him fit in.
What does Fiona’s reaction to Marcus’s new shoes reveal?
Fiona is angry when she learns the story behind Marcus’s new sneakers and his bullying.
What is a central theme of ‘About a Boy’?
The theme of family and the complexities of relationships, especially the need for connection.
Fill in the blank: Will’s ex-girlfriend was ______.
Jessica
True or False: Will enjoys the responsibilities that come with having children.
False
What does Marcus’s mother want him to avoid?
She wants him to avoid watching ‘rubbish television’ and listening to popular music.
