The First Part Last Robby Character Analysis

“I just wanted a note to get me out of it…”(pg.25) Angela Johnson uses 3 symbols to allow Bobby the main character to come of age. A basketball, a trophy, and tears all allow Bobby to come of age and start being a man. Bobby might have had some rough times that he wanted to get out of but, he was a man and came of age and grew up raising his daughter Feather. A basketball can maul people but in The First Part Last it represents Bobby’s childhood and how he is letting go of it. Bobby was getting ready to go play basketball with his friends when he realizes “I forgot Feather, and let her all alone..”(pg.23) Bobby found out that staying with Feather is more important. “I laid my basketball down and it rolled out the door into the hall.”(pg.23) Having the basketball roll into the hallway away from Bobby means that he is letting go of his childhood and is staying with Feather . Bobby made a crucial mistake when he
“I tried not to cry, but when I looked down at my shirt it was soaked;”(pg.120) Bobby wasn’t wanting to cry when Nia was in the hospital but he did all sad tears. But, after Bobby finally got home and Feather was laying on his chest he had happy thoughts “...the first time i get to watch the coming of the soft morning light.”(pg.127) Keeping Feather and not giving her up for adoption was a good choice for Bobby that allowed him to be humane to his daughter and his family.
“...I know I’m being a man, not just some kid who’s upset and wants it his way. I’m being a man.”(pg.126) Bobby comes of age at the end of the book The First Part Last by Angela Johnson. Johnson uses 3 symbols to allow Bobby to come of age a basketball, a trophy, and tears all represent how Bobby becomes a man. Angela Johnson allowing Bobby to come of age and start being a father at a young age allows Bobby to be more alert at what choices he makes besides being a