The main characters in A Taste of Honey are Jo, Helen, Geof and Peter. The troubled relationship between Jo and Helen has a negative impact on the lives of other characters in the play.
Jo’s boyfriend is a black sailor from Cardiff. He originally trained as a nurse. Jo tells Geof that he is called Jimmie but otherwise he is not named in the play. In the cast of characters he is referred to simply as Boy.
He appears to care for Jo whilst he is with her and is tender and caring when she has a cold. However, he also makes it clear that he enjoys a good time with his friends and that the engagement ring he gives Jo means that he expects them to enjoy a certain amount of sexual intimacy.
Lighthearted
How is Boy like this?
One of the reasons Jo is attracted to Boy is because he can make her laugh. In the time they spend together, they often tease one another but in a lighthearted and tender way.
Evidence
Boy
[To Jo.] Honey, you’ve got to stop eating. No more food, no more make-up, no more fancy clothes; we’re saving up to get married.
Analysis
Here we see Boy exchanging playful banter with Jo. This is completely different to the quarrelling and bickering that is such a feature of Jo’s relationship with Helen.
Tender
How is Boy like this?
Jo’s boyfriend abandons her after promising to return in six months’ time when his next leave is due. However, whilst he is with her, Boy is tender and caring and shows genuine signs of affection for her.
Evidence
Boy
[To Jo.] … Yes, you’ve got a bit of a temperature. Have you been eating?
Analysis
Jo has not been shown much tenderness in her life. Her boyfriend, however, stays with her over Christmas, seems to be genuinely concerned that she has a cold and offers to make her a cure.
He is tender towards her and often embraces and kisses her. Although Jo makes it clear she does not want to be kissed all of the time, she is grateful for the company of her boyfriend when she is alone in the flat.