GCSE English Literature WJEC

About a Boy: Character Profiles

Will Freeman

• Will Freeman is a thirty-six-year-old bachelor. He's self-centred, uses women only for his needs, and avoids responsibility. The author presents him as a comedic figure at the start of the novel.
• Will lives off his father's song royalties and has no real job or sense of duty. His life revolves around his personal pleasure.
• Despite his superficial, shallow lifestyle, his character undergoes a signficant transformation when he meets Marcus.
• Will dislikes Marcus initially, but eventually he starts to care for him, playing a pseudo-father role in his life.
• By the end of the novel, Will has grown into a more selfless, understanding figure with real responsibilities.

Marcus Brewer

• Marcus Brewer is a twelve year old boy who is mature beyond his years. He's socially awkward and struggles to fit in.
• Marcus has a difficult relationship with his depressive mother, Fiona. Marcus misses his father and is worried about his mother's emotional health.
• Marcus is described as odd and is bullied at school. His strangeness leads to his friendship with Will.
• His relationship with Will becomes one of the major plot elements. Will tries to help Marcus become 'normal', while Marcus encourages Will to accept mature responsibilities.
• By the end of the novel, Marcus has developed significantly, displaying resilience and a sense of self-assurance.

Fiona Brewer

• Fiona Brewer is Marcus’s mother, suffers from depression and finds it hard to cope with her life.
• She has strong principles and doesn't believe in materialism. This has a certain impact on Marcus, whose oddity can be traced back to his mother's upbringing.
• Fiona's struggles with depression manifest through her suicide attempt, which profoundly affects Marcus.
• Despite her personal struggles, Fiona genuinely cares for Marcus and becomes supportive when she learns about the bullying at school.
• Fiona is an important character for showing the impact families can have on a child's development.