Homosexuality

Homosexuality is an important theme in the novel “Funny Boy” by Shyam Selvadurai. Homosexuality involves romantic and sexual attraction between individuals of the same sex. In the novel, Arjie comes to understand that he is homosexual, and endures bigotry and intolerance regarding his homosexuality.

When the novel begins, Arjie is seven. Arjie, as a child, has a predilection for spending all of his time with his female cousins where he plays wedding and dresses up like a bride. His extended family finds this something to mock and laugh at, while some of the more incisive members of the family recognize homosexuality in Arjie, calling him “funny”. Arjie’s parents are mortified by this, and endeavor to do what they can to remove such tendencies from their son as a matter of family honor and safety.

Arjie’s parents determine that he will play sports with his...