What is the theme in Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story by Paul Monette?

Unrequited love is another theme in the story. Paul's first experience with unrequited love is during one of his childhood sexual experimentations with his playmate, Richie. Although he has experimented sexually before, this is the first time he has tender feelings toward a friend. Rather than simply wanting sex, he feels the urge to kiss Richie, but he knows this would be unacceptable and fears it would scare Richie away. When he reaches Yale, Paul becomes particularly fond of his roommate, Sean.