The novel's title
The novel's title, Five Little Indians, is an example of potent irony. Even though the novel is empathetic towards the plight of Aboriginal people, its title diminishes the personhood of the novel's five main characters, all of whom experienced tremendous trauma because of residential schools.
Kenny and the other former students
Kenny and the other former students of the residential schools feel free from the burden of the residential schools; however, his sense of freedom ironically turns to a feeling of isolation.
Maggie
Ultimately, Maggie turns to her artistic skills as a way to channel her inner pain and trauma into something more productive. However, this creative endeavor ironically does the opposite of what she intended: she becomes more traumatized by reliving the experiences.
Canada
Canada is often thought of as a land of opportunity and as a land of plenty. Nevertheless, for Kenny and the rest of the main characters of the novel, Canada (and Vancouver specifically) becomes a prison, where they are unable to succeed and thrive.
