The Nickel Boys

Elwood’s record album of King’s stirring oratory is indispensable to his emotional growth. It fills him with idealism when he is surrounded by injustice, and it lays the groundwork for his participation in a Civil Rights march. King’s words represent a vision of racial equity, an ideal that serves as a life preserver for Elwood in Nickel’s flagrant racism.

While King’s (and Elwood’s) optimism appear quaint and naïve to Turner, he is ultimately swayed enough to risk his life for the possibility of justice. Even after Elwood dies and Turner assumes his identity, he, Turner, tries to atone for his betrayal of Elwood by living the life he feels Elwood deserves, a life that honors King’s powerful message of love and transcendence. 

Nickel’s Christmas display is renowned statewide. People come from all over Florida and neighboring states to view the spectacle. Although the boys do all the work of hanging lights and assembling displays, they receive little credit. Yet, despite this, the boys take pride in their work. They see hope for something better in the flashing lights. As Turner and Elwood sit on a hill and observe the pageantry, Elwood comments, “We did good” (131).

The thousands of twinkling lights are beacons of hope for all of the Nickel boys.