Several themes occur in this this book and many good life lessons. Two of the themes that stood out to me the most would be, love is complex unpredictable and happens in many different ways. Also the idea of going back to the only thing you know such as abuse. First off the idea that love comes to you in ways you could never imagine, I think this is very true. Calvin shows this all through the book, he is all strung up on Lola when really he is doing all he can to save Gretchen. I guess both can be love but the love he has for Gretchen is strong and makes him courageous. I think that's the best kind of love. He is in love with Lola but only feels down on himself when he thinks about her. Calvin does not realize he loves Gretchen until the end of the book, showing the clear example of love coming in ways he didn't imagine it would come. Sometimes in life the unexplainable happens but I think a lot of good comes out of these moments.
The second theme I chose was something I noticed myself, the theme of going back to the only thing you have ever known. In the book McCluskey's dog is abused and neglected and basically has been his whole life. Because he is so used to this abuse when Cal tries to save him and let him off his leash he turns right back around and goes in the house. The dog has only known abuse and neglect his whole life and doesn't realize the better life he could have. Gretchen also falls into this because she is so scared to tell anyone and let someone help. She is scared but I think she also has a hard time realizing the better life she could have. Both these themes are important to the book and are very unique life lessons. Let love come to you and keep your eyes open to the ways it will flow into your life. Do not get used to the way your life is, always try to improve, always try to make things better.
The second theme I chose was something I noticed myself, the theme of going back to the only thing you have ever known. In the book McCluskey's dog is abused and neglected and basically has been his whole life. Because he is so used to this abuse when Cal tries to save him and let him off his leash he turns right back around and goes in the house. The dog has only known abuse and neglect his whole life and doesn't realize the better life he could have. Gretchen also falls into this because she is so scared to tell anyone and let someone help. She is scared but I think she also has a hard time realizing the better life she could have. Both these themes are important to the book and are very unique life lessons. Let love come to you and keep your eyes open to the ways it will flow into your life. Do not get used to the way your life is, always try to improve, always try to make things better.