Major Themes
The most noticeable theme is the existential one of choosing one's own meaning. This was exemplified by Kyo, and its alternative was shown in the fatality of Ch'en. Katow for example chooses to give his cyanide pill to two other prisoners and thus accepts being burned alive himself, having saved those two men from suffering.
Another point presented in the book addresses how people interact with one another. Ferral and Old Gisors both believe they can understand and possess in a person only what they can change. Ferral is shown this through his relationship with Valerie, and Old Gisors through his with Ch'en.
Read more about this topic: Man's Fate
Famous quotes containing the words major and/or themes:
“Inanimate objects are classified scientifically into three major categories—those that don’t work, those that break down and those that get lost.”
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“I suppose you think that persons who are as old as your father and myself are always thinking about very grave things, but I know that we are meditating the same old themes that we did when we were ten years old, only we go more gravely about it.”
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