The First Part Last Angela Johnson Character Analysis

Loren maddox

In the book, The First Part Last, Angela Johnson describes mostly in the book “Coming of age.” She uses many symbols that represent coming of age, and how Bobby went from being a child to a semi-man. He has matured majorly, but he is just not fully there yet with becoming a full man. Bobby overcomes constant obstacles while trying to conquer coming of age. He gives up playing basketball all the time, spending all day at the arcade with his friends, and being able to have fun, and live his life the way he wants to live it. Becoming a man Bobby is forced with constant obstacles, but he knows and is ready to face the reality with them.

A red balloon in the book is a symbol given to Bobby from Nia. The symbol represents an incoming surprise for both Bobby and Nia. The balloon represents Nia being pregnant, and she gives Bobby the balloon to tell him or let him guess about what the balloon is for, Because Nia does not tell him right away about what the balloon was for. Bobby without knowing what the balloon means is happy and thinks the balloon is just a gift from Nia, so while Nia does not look as happy, Bobby has a big smile on his face.

The Basketball in the story that both Bobby and his mother have to do with is a symbol that represents “Coming of
Childhood meaning, always hanging out at the arcade and wanting to stay there for hours but not being able to because, Bobby is now a parent, and can not just leave feather and go hang out with his friends. The wants you wanted during your childhood, such as fun and games, are all gone when it comes to parenthood. Growing up is super hard for Bobby especially when he had his whole life ahead of him, he consistently always wants to go out and play games and just hang out with his friends, but now he knows he has a child and has to step up and be a good parent for feather since Nia is no longer in the picture