Addiction and drug abuse
Addiction and drug abuse is the central theme of this novel, without question. The title of the book is a reference to a song called "Heroin," and in the context of the song, it means the same thing that Denis Johnson means in his novel. Throughout the novel, we see the same basic addiction, but spread across multiple characters who each go insane in their own special way. Their communities are defined by drug usage. They are typically always felons, which means that their ability to get a job is severely hindered, so many of them are forced to commit crimes to supply their addiction. One step at a time, addiction destroys their lives and souls, making them commit actions they never would have dreamed about. And of course Johnson talks about the pleasantness of vice, and he shows how drugs begin to be the only solace that people have from their addictions.
True hopelessness
Johnson shows that true hopelessness is not an emotion at all, although it certainly causes plenty of depression, despair, agony, and loneliness. No, true hopelessness is what is implied in the title: "Jesus' Son," is another way of saying that Jesus wasn't actually holy. The line comes from a Velvet Underground song called "Heroin," and Johnson agrees with that song with this novel. True hopelessness is what happens when the characters realize with actual knowledge that their lives are permanently disfigured, and the realization that the odds of getting healthy are slim to none. As the characters age, they slowly realize that they might be addicts until they die.
The unseen underworld
Most people who have jobs and families don't actually have to experience what life is really like for people with severe addictions or mental illnesses. It turns out, there is an entire culture in the underworld of America, and it has idiosyncrasies just like any other culture. This novel was extremely well received, especially since it showed that drug users exist in broken communities, and although they try and provide comfort and companionship to one another, usually money problems, drug binging, or legal issues prevent them from forming true communities.
Recovery
The theme of "recovery" is evident through the narrator and other characters present in it. In the last story, "Beverly Home," the narrator shows how he is amazed by the rehabilitation process. During his stay at the Beverly home, the narrator notes that he had never thought that addicts could be accepted in society through rehabilitation. The narrator sees the rehabilitation center as hope for addicts like him. In essence, the author presents this theme to show society that addicts have hope for a better life through rehabilitation.
Morality
Morality is a predominant theme across the book. The narrator is unable to know the distinction between the good and the bad. He keeps making poor decisions, resulting in immoral outcomes. For instance, in the story "Beverly Home," the narrator shows how he has two sex relationships with disabled women at the facility. He also spies on a woman living next to his room. Alcoholism and drug abuse can also be viewed as immoral acts that lead to unplanned sexual encounters. In the story "The Other Man," the narrator notes that alcoholism made him take home a recently married woman. At the hospital, "Emergency," the narrator and his friend, Georgie, kill a rabbit due to reckless driving. In essence, the narrator carelessly drops the rabbits, and they are crushed by the car.
