Identity
From the beginning of the novel, identity is a major theme. Monk begins his journal by outlining exactly who he is: "I have brown skin, curly hair, a broad nose, some of my ancestors were slaves ... [t]hough I am fairly athletic, I am no good at basketball. ... I graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, hating every minute of it." This is how Monk identifies himself, and claims that he does not believe in race, yet how he is perceived by others is based entirely on his race. This influences how his books are received.
Other characters' identities also play a role in their stories: Monk's brother is gay, which results in his wife divorcing him and attempting to gain total custody of their children. Monk's sister, whose identity includes working at a women's health clinic, is murdered as a result of her job.
Race and Racial Stereotypes
Monk cannot escape the expectations placed on him as a result of his skin color. As such, his novels fail to sell because white audiences are confused as to what retellings of ancient Greek mythology have to do with the African American experience.
In direct contrast to Monk's failed novels is Juanita Mae Jenkins' novel We's Lives in da Ghetto, which is extremely successful to the point of becoming a film. We's Lives in da Ghetto portrays its black characters as stereotypical "hood" personas and is praised for its "realism" and "honesty." After seeing Jenkins' success, Monk realizes that in order to be a successful author, he must embody and write about these stereotypes.
Love
Love is a major theme in Erasure. Monk is unable to have healthy and long-lasting romantic relationships, instead having an on-and-off, ultimately unsatisfying sexual relationship with a woman named Linda. Much of the reason his relationships do not last is due to his opinionated, at times haughty demeanor.
Monk's sister, Lisa, has recently broken up with her boyfriend, and Monk's brother, Bill, is recently divorced and unable to keep a steady boyfriend. In contrast, Monk's housekeeper falls in love and marries while she, Monk, and Monk's mother on vacation.
Family
Family is a continuous theme throughout the novel. Monk must balance his responsibilities as a brother and son with his responsibilities as an author. Ultimately, after his sister's death, Monk's need to take care of his mother financially — whose Alzheimer's is rapidly worsening — is what drives him to write the novel he hates: My Pafology, A.K.A. Fuck. Furthermore, Monk's strained relationship with his sister and brother is the result of his parents' favoritism towards him.
