Isolation
Isolation is one of the most poignant themes in The Lion of Mars. In the novel, Bell tells readers that the people in the United States colony have isolated themselves from colonies from other countries. As a result, virtually everyone in the colony is isolated and as a result, lonely. Most importantly, Bell and the children are isolated, affecting their development.
The theme of isolation is important to the novel because it reinforces why fear, paranoia, and the virus itself are able to travel across the colony. It also illuminates a valuable lesson to readers: the company of people is powerful and is a good thing for a person's mind, soul, and health.
Exploring the unknown
Another important theme in the novel is exploring the unknown. Much has been made about humanity's exploration of space and their journey to Mars (in real life, this has not happened yet; in the novel, humanity has traveled and settled on Mars). The novel portrays humanity exploring something that was otherwise unknown: the planet of Mars. Mars is so far from the Earth and its features, animals, people, and materials that, when people go to Mars, which has little in common with Earth, they are shocked. This shock is evidenced by people's attitudes and their general naivete about the planet and some of its features — including the virus which is ravaging the U.S. colony.
Humans have long been driven by tremendous curiosity and an interest in exploring the unknown. From early human history, humans explored places and had no idea what they would bring. That is one of the most immutable characteristics of humanity. It has also served humanity throughout history well and in The Lion of Mars itself.
Confronting a seemingly unstoppable force
Confronting a seemingly unstoppable force is another very important theme in The Lion of Mars. In the novel, for instance, Bell and the rest of the U.S. colony must confront a virus (a force that cannot seemingly be stopped). Despite the adult's best efforts, they are initially not able to do anything about the virus and its spread. However, the kids (ironically) are able to stop the virus from spreading. Many who faced such a problem would run away or hide far away from the problem. The kids in the novel do no such thing, showing their strength of character and their intelligence.
