the trumpet he played (which has a phallic shape) music in this novel plays a vital role in liberating the characters from societal norms. It is a consistent, unchanging theme throughout the novel. Even when Joss's gender is revealed, the love of jazz remains, so much so that his friend and partner Big Red defends him even after his death. Joss builds his public identity through music and with an instrument which, casually or not, may remind him of the organ he does not have. Joss found his masculinity in jazz music, whereas Colman identifies his masculinity in his physique. Transphobia Millie's reaction is private when, in their first intimate encounter, she discovers that Joss has the body of a woman. She gets angry but later does not mind. This is not mentioned again in the book. The only transphobic remarks that appear come from people who were not privately linked to Joss, except for their son. The narrative reveals people's reactions to the discovery after Joss' death, shown through their disorientation, disgust or just general transphobic comments. Miss Stones shows this clearly in her refusal to use the "him/his" pronouns from the first time she talks about Joss, denying him legitimate recognition of his identity. Transphobia is shown against Joss and to all those he knew as well, starting with the disregard held for his family and friends' opinions of him, making it all the more difficult for him to be defended when he is not there to do it himself. Passing The novel examines a general perception that death is a moment that makes someone more vulnerable and exposed to the critiques from which one cannot defend oneself. Private life becomes public. Joss' identity is discussed and questioned, his body is accurately analyzed, and he cannot defend himself. The only attempt to defend Joss is made by his wife Millie, but at the end the defense appears weak, blurred and almost inconsistent. After his death he is treated as "a Black queer monstrosity that can be met only with derision and turned into spectacle", and the only thing Millie continues to do is refer to him using male pronouns. Family relationships Another theme in the novel is familial relationships, especially that between Joss and Colman. After his father's death, Colman reflects on his childhood and how his relationship with his father has changed over time. There was tension