The damaging effects of bullying
One of the most significant and impactful themes in the novel is the damaging effects of bullying. At the heart of the novel is the relationship between Eric and Griffin. Eric is the new kid at school; Griffin is the popular jock. At first, Eric is drawn to Griffin and thinks that he is kind. However, he quickly learns that he is not. He is a mean and abusive bully.
Griffin bullies a number of kids in their school but pays particular attention to one. His actions are cruel and incredibly damaging not only to the people he bullies but to the people around him, too. The novel doesn't just focus on the overt acts of bullying that Griffin does but also on the subtle ways students can be targeted and isolated by bullies in their schools. Through this theme, the novel underscores the psychological and emotional toll bullying takes on its victims.
The complicity of bystanders
Perhaps the most significant theme in the novel is the complicity of bystanders. Although none of the bystanders witness Griffin's bullying of the students, they are complicit in the bullying. Many, including Eric, initially don't do anything when they witness the students being bullied—even when they don't like seeing it happen.
Many characters in the novel witness bullying but choose not to intervene out of fear or indifference. Through this theme, the author explores the moral and ethical responsibilities of those who witness bullying but do not take an active part in it. By the end, the novel asks readers to reflect on their own roles in situations involving bullying and challenges them to be more than just passive observers.
