That Was Then, This Is Now: Themes

Coming of age:

The novel is the coming-of-age story of Mark and Bryon. It is a story through which the reader witnesses both boys growing up and each choosing a different direction in life. From being carefree teenagers, they reach a stage where life forces them to face the consequences of their choices and acts. It is also a story of change and transformation, both external and internal. Charlie’s death, Bryon falling in love with Cathy, and the attack on Mark and Ponyboy Curtis are all significant events which change the course of their lives. But these events lead Bryon to become introspective. His perspective undergoes a change, and he ends up changing himself. He becomes more sensitive and responsible. Mark, in contrast, refuses to let go of the old ways. He cannot reconcile himself with the changes he sees in his best friend. The gulf between the two friends grows wide. Mark is imprisoned and their relationship worsens to a point where Bryon feels Mark would kill him if he could. Hinton in this novel shows that transition and change, be it in relationships or circumstances, are inevitable and often lead us on paths hitherto unknown to us.

Morality, loyalty and betrayal:

The world Hinton introduces to the reader in the novel is one where stealing, and violence is routine. Bryon and Mark, the two main characters, regularly hustle people at pool and often enter fights with other boys. There is a brotherly loyalty that binds them. In such a world the concept of right and wrong is complex. Stealing is often the only way of survival. However, when Charlie dies, Bryon starts to question several things; he begins to realize that the mindless violence does not really serve a purpose and the cycle needs to end. We see him growing increasingly sensitive. He can now appreciate why Mike could empathize with his attackers. As people who constantly suffer racism, the group of boys who beat up Mike had genuine anger against the white people. Bryon is moved by M&M’s condition after he takes LSD and has a bad trip. He is also deeply sympathetic towards Cathy who is worried sick about her brother. He loses no time in turning Mark in. However, the very next day he is no longer sure if he had done the right thing. He knows that Mark would have a tough time in prison and would get worse. Bryon must live with the guilt of betraying his closest friend. Hinton through this last episode shows how in life the concepts of right and wrong are not rigid categories and how the lines between them are often blurred. For Bryon, the distinction, once so apparent, was not clear anymore. A part of being an adult involves facing these crossroads in life, making choices, and then living with the consequences.

Motifs and Symbols

An oft-repeated motif in the book is that of Mark being compared to a lion throughout the book. But even this is not a static comparison. While in the beginning of the book, the charming Mark who can get away with anything is hailed as an innocent lion, by the end of the book the image is different. At the reformatory, Mark is having a hard time and is seething with resentment and bitterness. At that time, to Bryon he appears to be an “impatient, dangerous caged lion.” (Chapter 11) The change in the portrayal not only reflects how Mark has hardened in his own views and how facing the consequences of his acts have hardened him, but it also portrays how far Bryon has moved away from him. His best friend is now an individual who is growing increasingly sinister.

Charlie’s car: When Charlie agrees to loan his car to Bryon, it fills him with surprise, but also a sense of being trustworthy. In a way it initiates his journey towards becoming an individual with a sense of responsibility and depth. It is when Charlie dies defending Mark and Bryon that Bryon seriously starts questioning the way they lead their lives. Bryon gets to keep the car, and eventually makes responsible choices in his life, like changing his appearance, finding employment, and helping Cathy find her brother.