Progress is viewed as a negative impact by the characters in Boom. In the case of the en bloc property boom, the minority of house owners had to sell their homes against their will. In which, it can even turn friendly neighbours into bitter enemies. The two conflicts can be seen in Act 2, Scene 15; ‘I’m staying here. This is my house. My walls, my ceilings, my floors, my windows, my doors, my door knobs, okay? And that. That is my tree. I swear to you, I’m not going to leave it behind.’ Also, in Act 2, Scene 7 and 8 where Boon fights and punches Male Neighbour over the signing of the en bloc contract.
However, there are other characters in the play who see progress as a good thing, a way to a better life. For example, the male neighbour in Act 2, Scene 7 is seeing the en bloc scheme as an opportunity to start a new life and provide a better life for his family; ‘this place may be good enough for you, but not for them, okay? They deserve better than this, can’t you see?’
On the whole, progress is Boom is presented as a very negative thing. Progress has caused conflict amongst Mother and Boon, her neighbours, even to the extent where Boon leaves Mother.
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