Love and Relationships
The theme of love and relationships plays a key role in the entire story. William Tillman is a teenage boy falling in love with a white girl called Adeline Dobbs. Adeline seems to be attracted to another young man called Clarence Banks. The love triangle between the trio leads to the death of Clarence. Rowan Chase is also in love with James Galvez and together decide to unravel the mystery of a skeleton that was found underneath the floor of the house.
The Theme of Linking the Past to Present
The dual narratives in this book are intended to link the past and present. The first story is based on a seventeen-year-old girl who is annoyed by the racism and prejudice imperiled to people of color. Similarly, the second story features a seventeen-year-old boy who regrets his actions after witnessing a black boy being whipped to death by police officers. The similarity between the two stories makes readers understand the level of racism subjected to people of color from the past to the present.
Racism and Complexity of Identity
Racism and complexity of identity are prevalent themes in this dual narrative. Minority groups are subjected to racism, bias, and discrimination. The confrontation between William and Clarence draws the attention of the police. The police officers beat Clarence to death due to his race. Arvin is pushed into traffic by a white man. Racial profiling against black people remains the same despite the change of time.
Pain and Death
The theme of pain and death is explored through Clarence Banks. Clarence experience painful whipping by police officers and eventually dies due to injuries. As well, Arvin experiences pain when he is shoved into traffic. Later, he dies due to bleeding. Blacks are subjected to painful experiences and killings by white people.
The Theme of Wealth
William Tillman’s family is affluent. His father ventures into a business of selling Victrola record players while his mother has a share in her family’s oil production business. Similarly, the theme of wealth is explored through the family of Rowan Chase. Her father has invested in oil production while her mother is a prominent lawyer.
