Inability to Escape
This theme relates to the use of Hiroshima, which we see in the opening scene of the film, and how though the city has been rebuilt it cannot forget the reality of the bomb that was dropped upon the people. While the landscape becomes new and re-established, the memory of the war remains active in the minds of those who survived. Resnais' film explores how these two lovers, though they may move on, they will forever be haunted by the memories of their intertwined lives.
Suffering
Suffering is a main theme of this film, which we witness as two lovers who will never remain together bear their souls and beliefs to one another in their short time together. In having an affair with one another they create a suffering within their souls as they must depart from each other, back to the lives that they have already established. Thus they have chosen suffering by choosing their affair regardless of the damage it will do to their lives and the lives of those around them.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a major theme of this film. It represents destruction in Elle and Lui's relationship. A nuclear bomb that is dropped and destroys life immediately but also in a slow and painful way for many more. This type of pain represents the fallout from the couple's affair and the fact that they will never meet again unless another "war" occurs in their lifetime.
