as a boy—that's all he was— backs from the corner package store shooting a pistol, firing it, once, at the dumbfounded man who falls forward, grabbing at his chest. When the speaker describes the shooter as "a boy—that’s all he was—” what theme is suggested? Young boys are more violent than young girls. Children who commit crimes should be tried as adults. Young boys need structure to stay out of trouble. Children who commit acts of violence are victims too.