The Threat of Nazi Victory
The novel was written prior to the start of World War II and so in many ways is a warning rather than a commentary about Hitler and his Reich. The main theme of the novel is the dangers of a Nazi victory, and the fact that involvement from the rest of the world is likely needed in order to prevent Hitler from extending his empire. The theme is also utilized to remind readers of what a world controlled by a dictator like Hitler would actually be like and the total lack of freedom that would ensue.
Misogyny
Hitler's Germany was similar to the dystopian society of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale in that women were seen as baby machines with the sole purpose of having children. This premise is extended in the novel so that women are kept at a compound and viewed as nothing more than animals; their existence is similar to that of puppy mill breeder dogs whose life is just a means to an end. This view is one of the main themes of the novel and also one of the main aspects of Nazism that concerned the author.
Courage in Resistance
Resistance is not futile; this is one of the central themes of the novel and it also shows that resistance and allies can come from all walks of life and all sides. Both Alfred and Hermann are resistant to the idea that Hitler is a god of any description and are greatly disturbed by the way in which the regime has deified him. They are determined to pass the information that they have to the rest of the world and to make sure that the facts and evidence of Hitler's true identity is not lost. They have enormous courage in what they are doing and do it knowing that they will probably die as a result.
