Miracle's Boys

The novel reaches a climax when Charlie is taken into custody by police, as his ability to stay out of trouble is a central point of conflict. Charlie and Lafayette would have to leave Ty’ree in the event of another arrest, so Charlie’s predicament also relates to the theme of Familial Bonds. Importantly, Lafayette is immediately defensive of his brother when he sees that he has been injured. Even though Charlie has treated Lafayette cruelly, Lafayette’s genuine love for his brother overrides any animosity he may also feel toward him. Lafayette instantly desires revenge over whomever harmed Charlie. The family, however, experiences a bit of luck when police allow Charlie to go free without any legal repercussions for his involvement in the stolen car. This stroke of luck arguably keeps the family intact, preventing Ty’ree from losing guardianship of both brothers and reinforcing both their bonds and the seriousness of their situation: To remain together, they must act responsibly.

In explaining what transpired, Charlie appears sincerely remorseful, highlighting the theme of Guilt and Blame. He is genuinely saddened to learn that his friend Aaron has taken steps to join a gang and taken aback when Aaron tricked him into attending the gang initiation. In this way, Aaron’s negative influence becomes clear, and Charlie’s intent to do the right thing is apparent. Charlie is frustrated that he seems to so frequently find himself in trouble and is angered because he feels others, particularly his brothers, judge him harshly for this. Charlie feels embarrassed that he cannot live up to the high standards set by his brothers, though this embarrassment manifests itself in anger. Further, Charlie’s love for his brothers is evident in his sense of guilt; he doesn’t want to be separated from them either. And while Ty’ree is initially angry, he believes Charlie, partly with the help of Lafayette’s defense of Charlie, demonstrating their Familial Bonds.

Lafayette’s recalling the Toni Morrison quote his mother cited comes at a significant moment. Though Lafayette was too young to understand the intended meaning at the time that his mother shared it with him, the narrative suggests that now that he is older, he has begun to recognize what it means to help free another person and why this is important. In a rather literal sense, Lafayette’s freedom to continue living his life in his home under Ty’ree’s care is dependent on Charlie’s behavior. It becomes increasingly apparent that Charlie struggles under the weight of grief, regret, and sadness—feelings that are shared by all three of the brothers but magnified in Charlie because of his past mistakes. In helping lessen the burden Charlie feels over his absence when their mother died, Lafayette can help to free Charlie of some Guilt and Blame.

Indeed, Lafayette defends Charlie to Aaron when he encounters Aaron the next day. This suggests that Lafayette, despite any hurt that Charlie has inflicted on him, truly loves and cares for his brother and is able to see past the harm that “Newcharlie” has done to recognize the goodness in the “real” Charlie. Aaron, though appearing to idolize Charlie, is not motivated by love and kindness, instead seeking the kind of belonging that is dependent on inflicting violence and harm upon others. Charlie, too, asserts that Aaron has proven he is not truly a friend and that he does not have Charlie’s best interest at heart.

The talk that Lafayette and Charlie have on the front stoop as the novel closes is instrumental in resolving many of the novel’s central conflicts. Important shifts take place in both characters: Lafayette comes to understand the validity in Ty’ree’s assertion that Charlie’s meanness is, in truth, a mask for his feelings of sadness and frustration over his lack of control. Charlie admits that he wishes he could have been present for their mother’s death and that, as his final interaction with her occurred when he was in handcuffs, Charlie regrets the mistakes he has made, recognizing that they likely brought disappointment to their mother. Through talking together and being open and honest about their feelings, the brothers take steps toward healing their grief. That an important shift has taken place—and things are on their way to returning as they used to be—is evident when Lafayette expresses his wish for the moment to endure.

This moment on the stoop also explores The Grieving Process, particularly when Lafayette sees his mother reminding him to make peace with Charlie. Throughout the book, Lafayette revisits memories of their mother, and he often appears able to work alongside his grief. This is perhaps partly because of his time in therapy, which taught him the importance of communication and openness. Because of the deep Familial Bonds between the brothers, they eventually embrace communication and renew their goal of remaining together as a family, no matter what it takes.