Joss's identity than others in the novel do. Themes Identity This element may be divided in three main subcategories: gender identity, cultural identity and racial identity. They are all developed under the main "umbrella term" of identity, but also develop in their own specificity during the narration. It explores dualities such as male/female, Black/white, and famous/non-famous. Joss's experiences are shaped by his transgender identity and his identity as a Black Scottish man. Colman, for his part, not only grapples with his Black and Scottish identities, but also with his complex self-identity due to being adopted. The theme of identity is particularly explored through the novel's focus on names, and the changing of names, as an integral part of one's identity. Gender identity: the unravelling of these categories is among the novel's most highlighted themes, meaning that it is the first necessary step to develop and build an identity for many of the characters. As well as Joss, this also applies to other characters such as Millie, who never regards herself as a lesbian since she always sees Joss as a trans man, whereas society and other characters do not. After what appears to be a fight for the right to not conform to gender-assigned roles, after Joss's death, he is forced back into a categorised role delegated by a binary and heteronormative society. Cultural identity: the novel's principal setting is in Scotland in the mid-20th century, with the storyline spanning from 1927 till 1997, a period of significant change. Scotland is presented as a fundamentally traditional, orthodox, conservative country where the question of identity is not even asked. Many references to the patriarchal culture are seen throughout the narration, as well as in the actions of the characters (i.e., improper use of the "she/her" pronouns by the journalist when referring to Joss; Colman's sexual desire in order to maintain, or define, his own masculinity, virility and manhood). Race identity: Race is also an important component in the identity of the characters. Joss is a Black man, a son of the Scottish nation, but lives in a country which hardly recognizes his social status as minority. There is a parallel here with author Jackie Kay, who also grew up in Scotland and was Scottish through her mother and Nigerian through her father. Her life and that of one of the main characters (Joss) both are a mixture of backgrounds, and similarities