The First Part Last Robby Character Analysis

What does it mean to be an adult? Being an adult can come with many responsibilities and an abundance of stress. In the book, The First Part Last by Angela Johnson, Bobby has to learn what it means to become an adult. He goes through many challenges and struggles on his adventure to become of age. Bobby has to take on the role of an adult even though he is still a kid himself. The author creates many trials for Bobby, such as learning how to deal with his lost childhood. Angela Johnson displays Bobby coming of age by using symbolism to help show him maturing. For instance, Angela Johnson uses a Game Boy as a symbol of Bobby’s childhood. In the beginning, Bobby reflects on what his mother told him, “My mom says that I didn’t sleep through the night until I was eight years old...She says she used to come into my room, sit cross-legged on the floor by my bed, and play with my Game Boy in the dark” (Johnson 3). Mary, Bobby’s mother, played the

The arcade also symbolizes Bobby’s lost childhood like the Game Boy. Bobby is taking care of Feather and decides that he needs a break to hang out with his friends. His mom laughs at him because he no longer has the opportunities he had when he was a child. Bobby thinks to himself, “She couldn't have rolled her eyes any more than she did when I mentioned how tired I was and how maybe I wanted to go hang out awhile at the arcade. ‘Your arcade days are over, brother’” (Johnson 24). Bobby associates arcades to his childhood days. Bobby shows that he is coming of age when he says “Some kids my age are hanging around this arcade I’ve been wanting to check out, but haven’t had the time and probably won't ever have” (Johnson 112). Bobby realizes that he no longer has time to do childish activities. Busy with Feather, Bobby takes responsibility of his time. As a result of Bobby managing his time wisely and fulfilling his fatherly duties, he came of age at the end of the