Miracle's Boys

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1996

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-12

Chapters 13-18

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

The Photographs of Miracle

Early in the novel, Lafayette references two photographs of his mother—the only photographs of her. He explains that Charlie destroyed the other photographs of their mother after her death. Lafayette harbors anger and resentment toward Charlie for this action, citing it as evidence that his brother has changed and grown mean since his incarceration at the juvenile detention center. Lafayette clings to the two remaining photographs, using them to remind him of his mother and to keep her close to him.

As the novel unfolds, Ty’ree hypothesizes that Charlie’s actions are performed not out of meanness or ill intent toward Lafayette but rather out of frustration for not being able to prevent their mother’s death. In his lack of agency, he grows destructive, taking what action he is capable of. This creates further distance between him and Lafayette. After Charlie is beaten up by a gang member, however, the brothers reach a turning point. Charlie regrets his previous ill-treatment of Lafayette and recognizes the harmful path he is on, as well as its effects on his brothers. When Lafayette shows Charlie the remaining photos of their mother, Charlie softens, recalling his love for their mother and appearing moved by the memories of her. Lafayette’s offer to make copies of the photos—so that Charlie can possess his own photos—foils the action of Charlie destroying the other photos. It serves as an olive branch in which Lafayette forgives Charlie, conveying that Lafayette desires to repair the dissent between them.

The Death of the Dog

Among the memories of Charlie prior to the time he spends away at Rahway Home for Boys, Lafayette recounts the incident in which Charlie came across an injured dog that was struck by a car. Charlie’s smart response moves Lafayette—Charlie carefully transfers the dog onto cardboard for safe transport. After a facility took in the dog, Charlie kept in constant contact. When the dog ultimately dies, Charlie’s sadness overwhelms him. For Lafayette, this event symbolizes the “old” Charlie, who is kind and compassionate. Charlie’s consistent love for animals is one of the traits Lafayette admired most in him. This version of Charlie greatly contrasts with “Newcharlie,” who is cruel to Lafayette and accuses him of being the cause of their mother’s death.

The death of the stray dog foils that of the dog in Central Park who lives after a near-death accident. It is the boys’ father, however, who dies after saving the dog. This painful twist of fate is echoed in the two different dogs. Charlie’s dedication to the stray dog and his desire for it to live mirrors Ty’ree’s concern for the dog at the pond in Central Park. Later, however, Ty’ree will feel guilty for feeling, in his view, more concerned for the dog than for his father. Both circumstances are beyond the boys’ control. Charlie is repeatedly told that he did everything correctly in handling the dog, but he carries guilt. In this sense, the lives of dogs are intertwined with the deaths of family members and grief.

“Newcharlie”

Lafayette’s nickname for his brother after returning from the juvenile detention facility reflects the changes that Lafayette feels have occurred in Charlie. Prior to Charlie’s act of robbing a store, Charlie and Lafayette shared a close friendship. As an older brother, Charlie protected and cared for Lafayette. Lafayette conveys this through memories of Charlie, such as Charlie teaching Lafayette how to pray to Saint Francis and Charlie coaching Lafayette on how to endure pain inflicted on him by a student at school. Lafayette insists, however, that since his return home two months prior, Charlie has become mean. He argues that the brother who lives with him now is a different version of him. The moniker “Newcharlie” signifies this negative change, as Lafayette maintains that the time in the facility has had adverse effects.

Charlie is aware of the way that others are disappointed in him, lamenting that he is always the brother who makes mistakes and cannot right his wrongs. While Lafayette is angered by Charlie’s newfound meanness, Ty’ree insists that this cruel behavior and attitude is merely a coverup of the true Charlie. Indeed, a turning point in the novel occurs when Charlie is beaten up and learns that his best friend has led him into gang activities. Charlie shows remorse for his bad behavior and softens a bit, opening up to talk about the death of his mother, per Lafayette’s gentle prompting. As the novel closes, Lafayette notes how happy he is in the present moment, suggesting that the true Charlie is in the process of returning.