Slavery and Subjugation
The theme of slavery and subjugation is comprehensive in the film. Adam Ewing, an American lawyer, saves a slave, Autua, who is beaten by his masters. The movie shows how are oppressed and treated like objects rather than human beings. The whipping of Autua explores the cruelty of slaveholders. Vyvyan Ayrs subjugates Ben Frobisher and dictates him to compose songs. When Frobisher composes “The Cloud Atlas Sextet,” Ayrs demands credit using intimidation. Such kind of an act constitutes to slavery.
Greed and Materialism
The theme of greed and materialism is exclusively laid bare in the film. Vyvyan Ayrs is greed because he demands credit for the sextet belonging to Frobisher. Ayrs has contributed nothing towards the composition of the masterpiece but is requesting its credit. That embodies his greediness for materialism. Lloyd Hooks is a corrupt and greedy man who orders the killing of Rufus Sixsmith when he realizes that he is tipping off Luisa Rey about the corruption in the nuclear power plant. The killing was a result of the greed of materialism.
Power, Control, and Authority
In all the six stories, powerful individuals oppress the less powerful to maintain power and control over them (less powerful). The greed for power and authority leads to the enslavement of Moriori by Maoris. Ayrs humiliates and controls Frobisher because he is privileged and powerful. The powerful people in the corporations control activists to give them information about rebels. The six stories tell incidences of people influencing and controlling others to maintain power and authority.
Fate vs. Free Will
These six stories' incidents explore a fundamental relationship of an individual’s free will prevailing within fate. Most characters in these stories are not able to control their own lives. The characters are doing everything possible to control themselves but in vain. Autua ends up in America due to fate. When Lloyd Hooks plans to kill Luisa Rey, he fails in all his attempts due to fate. The director, metaphorically, uses “Cloud Atlas,” to indicate that people’s souls are blown like clouds across the sky. In simple terms, people’s lives are controlled by external forces.
Hope and Optimism
From all the six narratives in the film, at least one person has hope or is optimistic that everything will be right. After Ewing and his wife defy their father, they are optimistic that the abolition movement will liberate people from slavery and oppression. Frobisher, Rey, and Meronym never give up on their dreams even after experiencing challenges. These characters are optimistic that everything will be right. Finally, hope and optimism create a peaceful world, and Zachry tells his grandchildren about all the stories.
