From my understanding, in the First chapter of ¨Heavy¨ the loudest theme is issues with acceptance. The theme of issues with acceptance shows when Kiese has issues accepting his overall image and wanting to be accepted by others. One moment that shows his trouble with accepting his image is when he was being sexually assaulted by his babysitter. After the babysitter stopped abusing him, it made Kiese wonder what was wrong with him. He began doing workouts to enhance his looks in an attempt to feel accepted again by his abuser. Throughout the chapter, there are several moments that Kiese struggles with wanting to be accepted by others. After witnessing two of his friends get sexually abused by the big boys, Kiese says ¨a part of me knew it was because I was the fattest , sweatiest person at Beulah Beauford´s house ¨(Laymon, 41). This theme shows up when Kiese realizes that the big boys never want to be in a room alone with Kiese and it makes him feel sad although the story behind this feeling is sickening. This moment shows how issues with his identity and image merge together with his issues regarding the acceptance of other people. Kiese also struggles with acceptance when he plays with the big boys and the other kids as he just wants to be touched and accepted by them.

Some (possible) symbols that show up :

Encyclopedias- symbolize his relationship with his mom. His mom is education oriented and he is heavy on books. She does not even like it when he uses slang

calves- Symbolizes looking good and being found attractive by others. Kiese points out that Reneta tells him he has nice calves. He also points out that Delaney has the biggest calves in the neighborhood.

Beaufords house- sexual trauma

The deep end- another symbol of wanting to be accepted. The reason Layla is abused is being she was willing to do whatever the big boys said in order to swim in the deep end

wailing-symbol of feeling neglected, being on the outside. When Layla is in the room with the big boys, Kiese wants to know what’s going on in there and what’s causing the wailing. When his mom is making love to Malachi, Kiese feels neglected in some way and he does anything to not hear the sound of her wailing.

Big Boys/Games- symbolizes manipulation.The big boys manipulate the kids into doing odd things and they use the rules of the ¨game¨as an excuse.