The theme of passion
Lloyd is passionate about painting and sets a long journey to the West Coast Island to paint objects. The trip is costly during the summer holiday, but Lloyd is determined to reach the anticipated destination to accomplish his passion. When he arrives on the small remote island, he is shocked to learn that it has a very small population, less than 100 people, but this does not discourage him from carrying his paintings on the rocks, cliffs, and any other object he comes across.
Selflessness
Selflessness is one of the major themes developed by Magee in The Colony novel. While on the island, Lloyd meets James and quickly becomes close friends. James expresses his interest in art, and Lloyd gives him an opportunity. Paradoxically, Lloyd learns that James is finer than he is in art and needs just mentorship to achieve his career objectives. Lloyd selflessly offers to mentor and financially support James to become a great artist. When Lloyd goes to London, he asks James to accompany him, and he offers to accommodate him and continue mentoring him to become the finest artist in his rights. While in London, James emerges as the greatest artist in the world. Consequently, James' success in artistry is attributed to Lloyd’s selflessness.
Rivalry
Rivalry is evident throughout the text between Lloyd and Jean-Pierre. When Lloyd arrives on the small island, he finds Jean-Pierre living in the neighboring cottage. Jean-Pierre is a French linguistic professor researching the local Irish language. When he learns that Lloyd is around, he assumes that he will spoil his study by introducing the English language to the local people. Lloyd does not hate Jean-Pierre, but they cannot look each other in the eye. The paradox is that the locals welcome them both, and they do not see their presence as a threat of any form.
