Themes in iBoy

 iBoy or Tom? The choice of identity 
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Slide 1: Slide
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This lesson contains 46 slides, with interactive quizzes, text slides and 8 videos.

time-iconLesson duration is: 50 min

Items in this lesson

 iBoy or Tom? The choice of identity 

Slide 1 - Slide

About iBoy
iBoy is  a novel written by Kevin Brooks in 2010. It was filmed in and around East-Central London, in particular the Middlesex Street Estate. It has been called  science fiction since the plot revolves around an imaginary situation involving technology.
But iBoy is also a form of Young Adult fiction since the plot is centered around the main character, Tom Harvey, discovering his identity, a typical YA theme.

Slide 2 - Slide

8

Slide 3 - Video

00:34
According to the film, do teenagers read more than they did previously in history?
A
yes
B
no
C
maybe
D
on the internet

Slide 4 - Quiz

01:34
When was the term 'teenager' used first to define a group a people?

Slide 5 - Open question

02:20
What group of women got together in 1906 to promote reading among young people?
A
The Extraordinary League of Gentlemen
B
The Outstanding League of Women
C
The League of Extraordinary Librarians
D
Librarians for Strong Young Readers

Slide 6 - Quiz

03:50
What made the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling different from other YA books ?

Slide 7 - Open question

00:35
What 3 book series have increased popularity of YA books?

Slide 8 - Open question

01:40
When was the first YA novel 'Seventeenth Summer' published?

Slide 9 - Open question

02:55
Which YA book was the first not to focus on the typical 'boy meets girl - fall in love - fight -make up' plot line?
A
Are you there God? It's me, Margret.
B
The Outsiders
C
The Big Friendly Giant
D
Catcher in the Rye

Slide 10 - Quiz

05:15
What does YA help us understand?
A
That teenagers are people too.
B
That teenagers have complex worlds.
C
That teenagers have strong fantasies.
D
That teenagers always have problems

Slide 11 - Quiz

Character development
In iBoy, there are many challenges to develop Tom's character. YA novels, like almost all works of fiction, are focused on character development. The person we meet at the beginning changes in some way by the end of the book. The things that change the character are described by the events, people, or situations in the story. These all force the character to make choices and take action.

Slide 12 - Slide

3

Slide 13 - Video

01:47
Why are the main character's actions so important

Slide 14 - Open question

02:31
What do Tom's actions tell you about him in the way he goes after the gang members who hurt Lucy?

Slide 15 - Open question

03:28
What changes about how Tom is at the beginning and at the end?

Slide 16 - Open question

Home/Environment
Knowing about Tom's home in the London Council Tower Flats is very important to understand Tom Harvey's personality at the beginning of the book, and  his choices and actions later.
Not only has Tom lost his mother and never lived with his father, the home he shares with his Gram is in a poor, crime-ridden neighbourhood. In these Tower Blocks, the most powerful people were members of Gangs. 

Slide 17 - Slide

4

Slide 18 - Video

00:00
What did NOT influence him to get out of the gang?
A
The police beating him
B
His mother worrying
C
His little brother's future
D
Alex's intervention group

Slide 19 - Quiz

02:14
What was the reason that the El Salvador immigrant children made their own gang?

Slide 20 - Open question

09:54
How did he change his life when he moved to Colorado?

Slide 21 - Open question

04:34
Why did he want to become a member of MS-13?

Slide 22 - Open question

Absolute Power
In iBoy, Tom suddenly and unexpectedly gets all kinds of powers, mental and physical.
These powers allow him to take revenge on the people who hurt Lucy. But he doesn't stop there. He goes after all types of crime and violence, and the police name him a 'vigilante'. 
Actually, Tom is in a position to take over complete control of the area. The question is, how far will he go?

Slide 23 - Slide

4

Slide 24 - Video

01:12
What does the "power paradox" mean?

Slide 25 - Open question

02:22
Do only people in high positions use power badly?
A
Yes, mid- and lower level positions do not abuse their power
B
No, mid- and lower level positions also are abusive of power

Slide 26 - Quiz

03:25
What 2 things do people in positions of high power believe?

Slide 27 - Open question

04:13
How can society solve the problem of people abusing power?

Slide 28 - Open question

Morals/Character
In the book iBoy, Tom faces various situations in which he has to choose between doing something right or wrong. He very often thinks about whether or not he is becoming an evil person. 
Many terrible things have happened to him and those he loves. He is in an area where it is easy to go down the wrong path. With the power that he has, it is difficult to know which choices to make. 

Slide 29 - Slide

3

Slide 30 - Video

02:32
Which of these items has Tom not experienced?
A
Tragedy - loss
B
Poverty
C
Addiction
D
Moral Superiority

Slide 31 - Quiz

04:13
Which character in the book has gotten a lot of money and power but is very bad?

Slide 32 - Open question

04:40
What does a person need to have to stay good even when all these things happen?

Slide 33 - Open question

Strong  Character is the Key
Given all of the difficulties Tom has had, and the sudden absolute power he achieves, one things helps him to remain a good person rather than turning into somebody evil like the gang members. That one thing is his strong, moral character: he has virtues (honesty, humility, courage, kindness, etc) and these determine his choices.

Slide 34 - Slide

Slide 35 - Video

Which of the following are NOT important for Tom in his character development?
A
Power/powerlessness
B
Character/morals
C
Fame/Money
D
Home/environment

Slide 36 - Quiz

IPhone Implant
Of course the big game-changer for Tom is when his iPhone becomes integrated in his brain and he gains super powers. He can access any information, anywhere, anytime. He can use the  electricity and focus it in physical and non-physical power.
Getting false teeth, wearing glasses, getting a heart implant or a new knee or leg is normal. But will we be able to integrate machinery in the brain and improve it like Tom?

Slide 37 - Slide

6

Slide 38 - Video

00:20
What does Elon Musk his new invention is like?

Slide 39 - Open question

01:08
How does the movement of an arm start in the brain?
A
As a synapse
B
As a neuro-transmitter
C
As an electrical spark
D
As long spindly cords

Slide 40 - Quiz

02:25
How big are the wires inserted into your brain accessing the chip?

Slide 41 - Open question

03:59
What information does the chip not have access to?
A
Real - time movements
B
Your cell phone
C
The location of active neurons
D
The things the pig smells

Slide 42 - Quiz

05:19
What memory application is not mentioned?
A
Uploading memory into a robot
B
Using your memories for a movie
C
Replaying your memories like a recording
D
Putting your memories in a new body

Slide 43 - Quiz

02:25
How long does the operation and recovery period last?

Slide 44 - Open question

The Power of Love 
But perhaps maybe the strongest influence Tom feels in making the choices that he makes is love.
At the beginning of the book, he has a secret crush on Lucy, and throughout the book he does everything he can to make her life easier. For a while he pretends to be somebody else, but in the end he wins her heart by just being himself.

Slide 45 - Slide

Slide 46 - Video