The Theme of Loneliness
Dave Eggers develops the theme of loneliness around his younger brother, Toph, who is the youngest child in the family. Dave Eggers and his sister, Beth are old enough to understand the misfortunes they are going through. The death of their parents leaves them orphaned and at this time, Toph is a young child who is struggling to understand what is happening. After the death of their mother, the three siblings relocate to California to start a new life. All these developments confuse Toph more because he is wondering what is taking place.
Later on, Beth moves to a law school and she gets occupied with studies implying that she stays away from the two boys. Toph and Eggers bond together most of the time. Toph starts to feel isolated when he commences school. He starts to miss having parents as other children do. Most parents around ignore him and he finds it hard to bond with them. Therefore, Toph feels lonely and secluded because he lacks the essential parental love. Eggers tries to do everything to keep him company but he still feels lonely.
The Theme of Partying
Eggers and Toph are left alone after their sister, Beth joins the law school. The two boys have to think of what to do to keep them busy and more bonded. Besides bonding, the two brothers want to party whenever they get an opportunity to distract themselves from the feelings of being orphans. They do not have parents to guide them, so they have to find ways of keeping themselves busy at all times. During partying, Eggers and Toph feel like they are young bachelors. They go to the beach together and thereafter play music. Most of the summer, they spend their time on the sun to enjoy themselves. Therefore, the theme of partying is prevalent in the novel and the two brothers are doing so to keep themselves busy and distracted from the idea that their parents are dead.
The Burden of Cancer
Dave Eggers joins the rest of the global authors to address the issue of cancer. Cancer has been a big burden to most families globally. In this novel, the reader realizes that Eggers' parents die of cancer at different times. Cancer deprives the three siblings of parental care at an early age and they have to learn how to fend for themselves. This is the reality globally. Cancer is an animal that has not been concurred because until these modern times it claims many lives. It has left many children to live as orphans.
