Billionaire Boy
43 pages • 1-hour read
David WalliamsBillionaire Boy
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Symbols & Motifs
Chocolates
In Billionaire Boy, 12-year-old Joe Spud misses the real friendships he used to enjoy before he became the wealthiest boy in Britain. When he befriends his classmate, Bob, the two learn they share a passion for sweets. The boys enjoy going to Raj’s corner store and buying chocolate bars, which they share with each other. The boys’ chocolates symbolize their authentic and reciprocal friendship, which is built on their shared interests and their mutual care for each other.
When Bob and Joe first become friends, Bob soon learns about Joe’s status as the “billionaire boy.” However, he does not expect the wealthy Joe to give him anything. Instead eagerly shares his chocolate with Joe: “‘This is for us to share,’ said Bob, as he broke off his friend a tiny square of chocolate” (76). Bob’s gesture shows that he does not want Joe’s wealth to change their friendship and that he sees Joe as an equal.
As they navigate the stresses of school, the two friends continue to share their chocolates, representing their easy rapport and mutual support. For instance, while Joe is mulling over his options of escaping litter duty Bob comforts him with some Twix: “‘Finger?’ asked Bob as he offered half of his Twix to his friend. ‘Thank you, mate,’ said Joe. They stood in a quiet corner of the playground and contemplated Joe’s bleak fate” (112). At the end of the story when Joe apologizes to Bob, the boys heal their relationship by sharing another chocolate bar, just as they used to. When Joe announces he has brought a present, a frustrated Bob tells him that “if it’s a new Rolex or a load of money I don’t want it, all right?” (256). He’s relieved when Joe reveals it to be a Twix that he hopes to share with Bob. By contrasting a fancy watch or money with the simplicity of a candy bar, the book reinforces the theme that, especially for children, simple pleasures shared with friends are more valuable than extravagant gifts enjoyed in isolation.
Mr. Spud’s Helicopter
Being a billionaire, Mr. Spud lives in luxury in his mansion, “Bumfresh Towers.” One of his more indulgent gadgets is his personal helicopter, “Bum Air,” which he flies for transportation and for fun. In the story, Mr. Spud’s use of his helicopter either embarrasses or intimidates Joe, worsening his relationship with his dad and making him feel like a social outcast. This makes the helicopter a motif for the story’s theme on Material Riches Versus Social Wealth, as Mr. Spud’s vast wealth cannot help him connect with his son, but instead prevents them from having a positive relationship.
When Joe calls his dad, asking him to bring his homework to school, he only hopes to avoid Miss Spite’s punishment of litter duty. He does not expect his dad to dramatically fly to the school in his helicopter, landing in the middle of the field in front of all of Joe’s classmates. The incident outs him as the “billionaire boy,” a fact he desperately wanted to keep secret: “Mr. Spud leaped out of the passenger seat and raced across the playground holding the essay. Oh no! Thought Joe. […] Joe felt like he was going to die of embarrassment” (119-20). Mr. Spud’s enthusiasm about the luxury and instant gratification his wealth affords him contrasts sharply with Joe’s sense of embarrassment around his wealth, which isolates him from his peers. While Mr. Spud enjoys his material riches, Joe’s priority is building social wealth, which he knows his money and toys won’t help him with.
The helicopter represents another point of tension later in the story when Joe runs away from home. Mr. Spud pursues him through town in his helicopter, using its spotlight to track his son. Again, the drama of the helicopter makes the situation worse: “Mr. Spud’s voice came out of the loudspeaker. ‘JOE SPUD, THIS IS YOUR DAD SPEAKING. GIVE YOURSELF UP, I REPEAT, GIVE YOURSELF UP’” (235). Mr. Spud’s use of the helicopter accomplishes the opposite of what he wants, as it angers Joe. “I heard what you said and I’m not coming home. I’m not ever coming home,” Joe shouts (236). The helicopter absurdly escalates an ordinary argument between a father and son.
The Toilet Paper Roll Rocket
In the novel, Joe’s toilet paper roll rocket serves as a motif for the story’s theme on Material Riches Versus Social Wealth by showing how Joe values his relationship with his dad over the luxurious lifestyle that Mr. Spud has provided for him. Joe has all kinds of expensive toys, including a “skateboard park (13)” “robot dog from Japan (12)” and “500 pairs of Nike trainers” (12).
However, it is his toilet paper roll rocket that he values over all of these cool toys, as it reminds him of his father’s love and the years of happiness and stability his family enjoyed before they suddenly earned their Bumfresh fortune. The homemade craft has no monetary value but holds immense sentimental value for Joe as a reminder of his Dad’s love. Walliams describes Joe’s affection for this old home-made gift: “Then he looked at all his expensive toys and gadgets. His eyes were drawn to the little loo-roll rocket that his dad had given him when he still worked at the factory. He remembered it was a present for his eighth birthday” (228). Joe considers this simple paper rocket his favorite possession, as it holds precious memories of the years when his parents were together.
Joe enjoyed a regular family life in his old home: “His mum and dad were still together then and Joe thought it might have been the last time he was truly happy” (228). By explaining the toilet paper roll rocket’s significance to his dad, Joe helps to convince him, too, that the social wealth of their relationship is worth more to him than the fortune he earned and lost. This moment has a profound effect: “Dad shook with uncontrollable emotion, and wrapped his short fat hairy arms around his son” (275). By playing an important role in Joe’s reconnection with his father, the toilet paper roll rocket reaffirms the importance of family and the value of the memories people make together.
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