Noughts And Crosses

The Prologue, set three years before the main story, illustrates Callum and Sephy’s close childhood relationship, which is encouraged by their parents. Callum’s mother watches young Callum and Sephy playing and “forced herself to believe that things would be better for the children” (2). The theme of hope for a better future continues throughout the novel as Callum and Sephy develop a deeper understanding of the society they live in and the inequalities that restrict them. Despite her hope for a brighter future of union and happiness for Callum and Sephy, Meggie feels a “deep sense of foreboding creeping through her” as she watches the children play (5). Blackman foreshadows that this idyllic future Meggie wishes for may never come to fruition. Blackman furthers this foreshadowing when she states this day was also the day Lynette disappeared. Left with unanswered questions, the reader wonders what happened to Lynette and how it connects to the events and characters introduced in the Prologue.

The Prologue also introduces the dynamics between the Crosses and noughts. Blackman chooses to capitalize the term “Cross” as a representation of their superiority and power over the noughts. While society respects Crosses, it derides noughts and strips them of any opportunities for growth. Meggie mentions in the Prologue that “being around Crosses was like walking on eggshells” (4). Mrs. Hadley punishes Meggie for not lying for her despite Meggie being unaware of needing to provide a cover story. Mrs. Hadley’s firing Meggie not only destroys the friendship between the women, but it also complicates Callum and Sephy’s friendship. Noughts are left at the mercy of Crosses who wield their power selfishly and maliciously throughout the novel. Blackman’s novel is a work of speculative fiction that provides an alternative history. The characters reside in a world like the real world. However, it is the descendants of native Africans who rule over the once-enslaved European descendants. Through her creation of this speculative world, Blackman constructs an allegory that asks the reader to question the connections between the fictional world and the real one.