As we follow the hilarious and moving escapades of the
Watson family from the point of view of the tender and young Kenny, a number of themes
seem to emerge as Kenny grows up through what he witnesses and experiences. One of the
really interesting features of this novel is the way that historical fact and fiction
are intertwined in the bombing in Birmingham. This obviously has a profound impact on
Kenny, as we see in Chapter Fifteen. However, one of the themes that we can see emerging
from this excellent novel comes when Kenny is forced to open up by his brother, Byron.
When Kenny asks why the bombing happened, and expressed that it wasn't fair, Byron
responds:
"Kenny, things ain't ever going to be fair. How's
it fair that two grown men could hate Negroes so much that they'd kill some kids just to
stop them from going to school? How's it fair that even though the cops down there might
know who did it nothing will probably ever happen to those men? It ain't. But you just
gotta understand that that's the way it is and keep on
steppin'."
This seems to sum
up one of the essential themes that the author is trying to communicate. In a backdrop
of violent racist incidents, life definitely isn't fair. But somehow, you have to accept
this fact and keep on going forward, regardless, because if you stop your life and live
it filled with fear, then those who are opposed against you have
won.
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