56 pages • 1 hour read
Richard OsmanThe Bullet That Missed
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Bullet
The bullet from the title The Bullet That Missed takes on several symbolic meanings in the novel. In both cases, it represents a threat to a friend’s life. Andrew sends Bethany a bullet with Mike’s name on it. This indicates that Andrew, “someone with a heart cold enough to send her a bullet” (389), will kill Bethany’s friend if she reveals that he is part of the VAT fraud. The other bullet is the one Elizabeth doesn’t use on Viktor, the “bullet fired directly into the ceiling” (234). Henrik threatens to kill Joyce if Elizabeth doesn’t kill Viktor, so Elizabeth pretends to kill him. Her deception is revealed to Henrik by the bullet being in the ceiling, rather than the wall (where it would have been if she had actually shot Viktor).
Medal
Another important symbol is the medal that Chris and Donna receive at the Kent Police Awards ceremony. The medals represent that they are “Highly Commended in the Line of Duty” (345). Andrew pulls out and touches Chris’s medal before the ceremony where it is officially presented. This was shortly after Andrew killed Jack, so the “cute, shiny badge and the cute, velvet pouch” (403) holds the DNA evidence that will ensure that Andrew is charged with murder in addition to fraud.
Masculinity
A motif that runs throughout the novel is challenging stereotypes surrounding masculinity. This develops the theme of The Importance of Friendship because avoiding toxic masculinity can help men be better friends to one another. For example, Ron notes how someone not being able to grow a beard “Doesn’t make them any less of a man” (304). Ron also considers the gender roles that cause Henrik to pick the motorcycle mug rather than the mug with flowers on it when Joyce offers him both. Henrik is “programmed” (310) to take a mug that represents stereotypical masculinity, Joyce says after watching a documentary on the subject. Another example of the motif of masculinity is when several men are together in Ibrahim’s place. He and Ron joke about the level of “testosterone” (327) in the room. This joke is based on the men’s actions, such as moisturizing their skin and using coasters for their beverages, which do not fit the stereotypes of masculinity.
Related Titles
By Richard Osman
