Roses are a recurring symbol in Concrete Rose. The first occurrence is in the title, which references “The Concrete Rose,” a poem by iconic rapper Tupac Shakur. “The Concrete Rose” tells the story of a rose that grows up from a crack in concrete, defying the laws of nature. In Shakur’s poem, the concrete symbolizes the toughness of the ghetto, and the rose conveys the greatness that can rise from adverse circumstances. Angie Thomas weaves the symbol of a rose into the structure of Concrete Rose by dividing the book into three major sections: “Germination,” “Growth,” and “Dormancy,” followed by the epilogue, “Bud.” Within the narrative, roses function as a metaphor for Mav.

Mav’s first task at his “clean” job is to plant rose bushes in Mr. Wyatt’s garden. He is disappointed to find that the bushes look like sad bunches of twigs, and doubts that they will ever bloom. This mindset parallels the self-doubt he feels about his ability to escape a lifestyle of dealing and gang involvement. It’s significant that the neighborhood Mav lives in is called Garden Heights. Like the roses in Mr. Wyatt’s garden, Mav must find a way to grow within his limiting environment.