Essay Questions

What is the main theme in The Only Ones by Aaron Starmer?

Aaron Starmer’s main theme in the novel The Only Ones is child governance. After the adults disappear from the face of the earth, Martin joins other strange children in Xibalba. Since there are no adults, the children must set up mechanisms for self-governance to ensure order. In addition, the children must appoint church leadership and other religious leaders. Throughout the text, readers are amazed to realize that children can set up a governance system to keep everything going like any other civilized society. In some cases, readers see Martin and his fellow children in a church service led by fellow children clergies. Therefore, the primary theme in the novel is children governing themselves to retain order and bring normalcy despite the mysterious disappearance of their parents and other adults.

Why is Martin determined to finish the mysterious machine that his father started constructing before he disappeared?

Martin is a curious boy, ready to comprehend his surroundings and everything happening. When Martin's father starts building the inexplicable machine, he refuses to reveal its purpose. After the father vanishes alongside all other adults from the island, Martin begins uncovering the obscurity of his father's machine. Martin believes the answer to the mysterious disappearance of his father and other adults can be solved by completing his father's strange machine. Consequently, Martin is determined to finish building his father's machine and use it as a transport mode to reunite with his father in an unknown place.

What pushes Martin's father to live alone in the forest?

Martin's father is a lonely and secretive man. After participating in the Vietnam War, Martin's father witnessed the viciousness and corruption of human beings. The generals and other influential people led a war that killed people recklessly and participated in massive looting and raping of innocent women. Since Martin's father participated in the war, he feels guilty about his actions and feels the only way to heal is to live in a secluded place. Martin's father believes humans are evil and discourages his son and family from interacting with people. Instead, Martin's father teaches the son how to hunt and survive in the forest.