Ethnic Conflict
Ethnic conflict is a major issue in Funny Boy, which is set in the 1970s and early 80s when ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka is at its peak. It is shown in the second section when Arjie asks his father the meaning of word "racist," which Radha had used for Ammachi, and his father explained to him how years ago his great grandfather was a Tamil and was killed for it by Sinhalese. Later, it is through Jegan and his complicated presence that Arjie becomes aware of the extreme dimension of the conflict, which breaks into violence not long after.
Queer Identity
Funny Boy is focused on the growing awareness of young Arjie not only of norms of gender and ethnicity, but also of his homosexuality. Arjie is considered to be a "funny" one; because of his queer identity, he plays games like Bride-Bride with girls and he prefers to be in girls' territory as it gives him the "potential for the free play of fantasy.” Arjie does not understand his desire early on, but later when he has a sexual encounter with Shehan, he thinks that he has done something wrong which his family will not accept. It takes him time to realize that what happened with Shehan was not shameful or wrong, but the society in which he lives still necessitates that he act carefully.
Gender
Gender is also a key theme, seen in the very first episode of the novel which deals with Arjie’s awareness of gender and the role that it plays in a hetero-normative world. Gender stereotypes imposed by his family show the separate world of girls and boys with Arjie stuck in between. Arjie does not want to accept the norms and ways men are expected to behave, but he also does not push back too much because his family is very old-fashioned.
Marriage
Arjie’s childhood view of marriage is absorbed from films and love comics. He assumes marriages are based on love, that they come together organically and smoothly. When he first learns Radha Aunty is coming and will be married, he prepares himself for a glorious wedding, but soon finds out it is not at all what he thought. Radha loves Anil, whom she cannot marry, and her wedding to Rajan is a practical and sad affair. Arjie learns that weddings do not augur happiness or contentment in marriage.
Bildungsroman
The novel is a classic example of a bildungsroman, defined by Merriam Webster as "a novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character." Arjie is a child at the beginning and we follow him as he enters his teen years. Through his intimate, first-person narration, we see how he experiences confusion, heartbreak, excitement, danger, and growth. Ultimately, he begins to learn who he is and what he wants, all against a backdrop of civil unrest.
Performance
Through make-believe and participating in plays, the characters in Funny Boy are able to act out their innermost desires. By acting and participating in a work or exercise of fiction, the characters are able to truly express themselves in ways they are unable to in society. For example, in playing Bride-Bride" with his cousins, Arjie is able to cross gender norms and act out his fantasies of being the beautifully decorated bride. Through the play, Radha Aunty and Anil are able to pursue and explore their love for one another.
The Public versus Private Self
Many of the characters grapple with competing identities and having to hide parts of themselves away. Jegan has to hide his past participation with the Tamil Tigers. Radha Aunty has to hide her relationship with Anil, Amma has to hide her relationship with Daryl, and Arjie has to hide his burgeoning queer sexuality. This often makes their lives complicated and unpleasant, but the traditional, patriarchal, and ethnic-tension-riven society sometimes necessitates it.
