Repeating Mistakes

The theme of repeating mistakes emphasizes the repetitive nature of shootings, violence, and deaths in Will’s neighborhood. The Rules drive this cycle. The third Rule states, “if someone you love gets killed, find the person who killed them and kill them” (33). This expectation leads people to behave violently more frequently. Once one person is murdered, another person is sent out of personal obligation as a vigilante to then murder the killer. In turn, this person becomes the new killer, which will draw a new person to follow in the same steps.

As Will interacts with the people on the elevator, he discovers the legacy of his male family members seeking revenge in this fatal manner. His father set out to kill Uncle Mark’s killer, just as Shawn shot Buck’s killer. Now, Will intends to shoot Shawn’s killer, adding to the violence...