CHARACTERS
This character finds the bag in the rubbish.
Who is Raphael?
This early event triggers the entire chain of danger and pursuit in the novel.
What is Raphael finding the wallet and deciding to keep it?
The main setting where the boys live and work.
What is Behala dumpsite?
This theme is developed through the boys’ loyalty to one another
What is friendship?
The story is told through multiple of these.
What is narrator?
This character is clever and cautious, often thinking ahead.
Who is Gardo?
This decision by the boys increases tension because it puts them directly in conflict with authority.
What is refusing to hand over the wallet / choosing to investigate it?
The setting shows this social issue.
What is poverty/inequality?
This theme is reinforced by the actions of the police and authorities.
What is corruption?
Raphael's narration is written like this.
What is informal/humorous/confident narration?
This character lives in a sewer
Who is Jun-Jun?
This plot development reveals that the situation is bigger than the boys first believed.
What is discovering the wallet is linked to corruption and hidden money?
This setting is the opposite of the dumpsite.
What is the city/Zapanta's mansion?
This theme is shown through the boys’ living conditions and daily struggles.
What is poverty?
What are different perspectives?
This adult helps the boys and works with the Church.
Who is Father Juilliard?
This turning point shows the boys moving from survival to fighting for justice.
What is choosing to expose the truth or use the money for justice rather than themselves?
This setting symbolises hope, faith and new beginnings towards the end of the novel.
What is the graveyard?
This theme is developed through the boys’ decisions to act morally and do what's right.
What is justice?
Mulligan uses short sentences and strong verbs to create this for the reader.
What is tension/suspence?
This character comes from a privileged background and helps the boys.
Who is Olivia?
This event shows the boys risking everything for the truth.
What is exposing corruption/returning the money/helping others?
Raphael experiences harsh, physical violence here.
What is the police station?
This theme is revealed through the boys’ persistence despite overwhelming odds.
What is resilience or hope?
Olivia's narration allows the reader to understand this.
The harsh injustices that people in some developing nations face.