Eugenics
In the text, the idea of eugenics is frequently mentioned, making it a motif. This novel satirizes the idea of eugenics by comically proposing the idea that being a genius is genetically inherited.
Sex
Sex is a key aspect of My Uncle Oswald, as Oswald is obsessed with sexual intercourse, and regards it as the best part of his life. His focus and ambitions are all geared towards this one goal, which symbolizes to him complete success and happiness. For example, he makes it a rule that he cannot have sex with a single person more than once. In another sense, sex symbolizes the downside of Oswald's character, as he too consumed with it to find true happiness.
Money
Oswald is also concerned with financial wealth, which symbolizes power and control. With money, Oswald believes that he would be able to have sex with more women, therefore making this about sex rather than personal achievement. Through Oswald's desire for money, Dahl emphasizes his obsession with sex, with controls all of his ambitions in life.
Bernard Shaw
In this humorous text, Dahl includes the famous historical playwright Bernard Shaw. Although Shaw is known for being asexual, he is presented here running through the street naked. As such, this character embodies the humorous and tongue-in-cheek nature of this text.
Freud
Psychologist Sigmund Freud also makes an appearance in this novel. Freud is often used in literature to symbolize the significance of the unconscious, and the importance of sexual symbolism. As such, Freud is an appropriate symbol in this text, which is largely about sex.
