When a Boy Becomes a Man

Question

A. Gautam

TYRONE, a high school student
TERRENCE, Tyrone’s father
ANDREW, Tyrone’s best friend
LOLA, Tyrone’s maternal aunt

Scene 1

[Curtain opens to the Terrence’s room.]

TERRENCE: [Holds Tyrone’s baby clothes. Quickly puts them back in the dresser when he hears footsteps] Son?

TYRONE: [Enters. Excited] Daddy, we’ll hear back any day now. What if I get a full ride but from Boston? Only partial from Texas?

TERRENCE: Do you have to play football? You’re too smart to get constant concussions.

TYRONE: Football pays. I don’t want you to work your bones to dust. [Looks at Terrence’s uniform on the wall hook. Walks to Terrence, holds his callused hands.] I am a big boy now, daddy.

TERRENCE: [Turns away to face the audience and speaks softly] I have forgotten to live without him. [Facing his son] How will I fill the time when you are far from me? I am too young to retire.

TYRONE: [Stands up] Are you too old to dance with me?

TERRENCE: Who are you calling old? [Plays an upbeat song on his phone and starts dancing.] I could go on forever. [Feels breathless and takes a seat.]

TYRONE: [Checks his phone] Hold on, daddy. I will be right back. [Enters stage right to the closet] Already? You’re staying in town then. I’m glad you’ll be around to check in on daddy. Hold on, Aunt Lola is calling. Congrats, Andrew. I’ll see ya soon. Hey auntie! Still waiting. Andrew got his acceptance letters. Mine must be on the way. I know. I know mom would want me to be happy. I know you will check in on daddy. [Curtain closes.]

Scene 2

[Curtain opens to the front of the house. Tyrone paces back and forth.]

TYRONE: [In a singsong voice] How can I leave my old man? Every boy’s dream is to leave and make it on his own, but I don’t know if I can. How can I leave my old man? Mama left for heaven when I was two. Daddy did what he had to do. He raised me the best he could. He thinks I turned out good. The dream is almost in my hands. I think my old man understands. Still I hesitate to even go in. How do I begin?

TERENCE: [A muffled voice from backstage] Son?

TYRONE: Coming. [Goes in. Curtain closes.]

Scene 3

TERRENCE: [In a singsong voice] The letter! The letter! The letter is here. Will it end everything? Can I even bear? The letter is here. My boy has big dreams. I only hear screams. I scream with fear. The letter is here. [Opens the envelope. Reads the letter and puts it back in the envelope.] Oh, I hear him now. I must bear it somehow. Son?

TYRONE: [A muffled voice from backstage] Coming. [Curtain closes.]
Question
How do the different perspectives of Tyrone and Terrence affect the play?
Responses
A Tyrone’s secretiveness about the letter and Terrence’s openness about his son’s bright future create a tone of mistrust. Tyrone’s secretiveness about the letter and Terrence’s openness about his son’s bright future create a tone of mistrust.
B Tyrone’s excellent state of health and Terrence’s advanced age and illness create a tone of tension. Tyrone’s excellent state of health and Terrence’s advanced age and illness create a tone of tension.
C Tyrone’s concerns about his father’s loneliness and Terrence’s concerns about his son’s safety create a tone of sympathy. Tyrone’s concerns about his father’s loneliness and Terrence’s concerns about his son’s safety create a tone of sympathy.
D Tyrone’s enjoyment of the letter and Terrence’s disappointment with the letter create a tone of resentment.

Answer 1

The correct response is C: Tyrone’s concerns about his father’s loneliness and Terrence’s concerns about his son’s safety create a tone of sympathy.

In the play, Tyrone is grappling with the thought of leaving his father, who has raised him after the loss of his mother, while also pursuing his own dreams. His hesitation reflects a deep concern for the impact his departure will have on Terrence’s emotional state. On the other hand, Terrence is worried about losing his son to the world outside and the loneliness that may come with it. These overlapping concerns contribute to a sympathetic tone as both characters navigate their feelings about change and separation.