Lyrics and Language
This genre influenced the poetic rhythm of the novel's narration and dialogue
What is hip hop?
Francis and other characters use hip hop to express this
What is their identity?
The neighbourhood in Scarborough where the boys grew up
What is The Park?
Hip hop reflects this emotional reality of the characters' daily lives
What is struggle or hardship?
Francis uses hip hop music to connect with this person
Who is Michael (His Brother)?
Hip hop lyrics in the novel often reflect this emotional experience shared by Michael and Francis
What is grief or the pain of loss?
This aspect of the characters' identities is often silenced but reclaimed through music
This location serves as a space of community and culture for the boys
What is Desirea's the barbershop or the rec centre?
This musical element of hip hop often mirrors the mood of the novel
What is tone or beat?
Francis sees music as a way to avoid this fate
What is violence, death, or the streets?
This poetic device, common within hip hop, mirrors the way Michael recalls memories
What is repetition or rhythm?
Hip hop gives Francis a way to resist this societal force
What is systemic racism or oppression?
Francis dreams of creating this kind of cultural space
What is a music studio or a safe creative space?
This novel shows how music becomes a way to process this kind of personal trauma
What is grief or loss?
Michael's relationship with music changes after this event
Lyrics like "We used to dream, now we hustle," shows how music captures this on-going struggle
What is systemic oppression or survival
What is giving back or reclaiming identity?
Michael and Francis's mother works hard and sacrifices many things to raise her sons, reflecting this cultural value often found in immigrant families
What is self-sacrifice?
In Brother, sirens in the background of the boys' lives mixes with music to create what kind of emotional backdrop?
What is tension or conflict?
Francis believed music could offer him this kind of future
The lyrical line "we come from fire" used in the book reflects pride and power. This is a metaphor that relates to what symbolic theme in the novel
What is resilience or cultural identity
Throughout the novel, characters balance their personal identity with how others see them (especially the police and media). This contrast is a result of what
What is sterotyping?
The community faces this type of pressure from outside forces like the police
Francis's dream to become involved in the music world represents the larger desire shared by many in the community
What is recognition or sense of purpose?
Michael understands Francis's passion for music as this kind of legacy
What is a form of remembrance or healing?