Noughts and Crosses

Callum McGregor is one of the main characters in the novel Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. It is an action packed novel based on a society that has been practicing segregation for decades. The novel is set in a fictional country called Pangaea during the 21st century. Callum deals with many issues including relationships, friendships, violence, alcohol abuse and depression. However, the main issues he has to deal with are prejudice and racism. This essay will reveal Callum’s complicated and unlucky character as well as saying the changes he has been through.
Callum is a nought boy, a second class citizen in a world run by Crosses. Callum believes in change but, unlike his dad and brother, he does not believe that maiming and killing will do anything. Instead he believes that having education will help him become someone and in that way he can help change the world. Callum’s brother and dad are a part of the Liberation Militia, a group of Nought communists who are prepared to do anything for change, even killing. Callum’s mother highly disapproves of this group and believes, like Callum, that change can be achieved in a more civil way. Lynette is Callum’s older sister. She has a mental disorder which makes her think that she is a Cross. Throughout the book Callum goes from the age of thirteen to twenty. But he may as well be fifty for all that’s he’s seen and done. His dark chestnut coloured hair and misty grey eyes add to his mystic character.
Although Callum has a hard life he is still very caring and loving. “How about you and I go up to Celebration Wood this Saturday? We could have a picnic.”-Callum, page 80. Callum is also curious and questionative because everyone is being secretive around him. “Where are you going Dad?” “Out where?” “What meeting?” “Where is it?” “Can I come?”-Callum, page 188. Callum is also very easily confused. When everything goes downhill after the bomb explodes he wonders why his brother’s fingerprints were found on the