Boy in A Taste of Honey (play)
- Lighthearted.
- Tender.
Jo鈥檚 boyfriend is a black sailor from Cardiff. He originally trained as a nurse. Jo tells Geof that he is called Jimmie but otherwise he is not named in the play. In the cast of characters he is referred to simply as Boy.
He appears to care for Jo whilst he is with her and is tender and caring when she has a cold. However, he also makes it clear that he enjoys a good time with his friends and that the engagement ring he gives Jo means that he expects them to enjoy a certain amount of sexual intimacy.
Lighthearted
How is Boy like this?
One of the reasons Jo is attracted to Boy is because he can make her laugh. In the time they spend together, they often tease one another but in a lighthearted and tender way.
Evidence
Boy
[To Jo.] Honey, you鈥檝e got to stop eating. No more food, no more make-up, no more fancy clothes; we鈥檙e saving up to get married.Analysis
Here we see Boy exchanging playful banter with Jo. This is completely different to the quarrelling and bickering that is such a feature of Jo鈥檚 relationship with Helen.
Tender
How is Boy like this?
Jo鈥檚 boyfriend abandons her after promising to return in six months鈥 time when his next leave is due. However, whilst he is with her, Boy is tender and caring and shows genuine signs of affection for her.
Evidence
Boy
[To Jo.] 鈥 Yes, you鈥檝e got a bit of a temperature. Have you been eating?Analysis
Jo has not been shown much tenderness in her life. Her boyfriend, however, stays with her over Christmas, seems to be genuinely concerned that she has a cold and offers to make her a cure.
He is tender towards her and often embraces and kisses her. Although Jo makes it clear she does not want to be kissed all of the time, she is grateful for the company of her boyfriend when she is alone in the flat.