Intellect vs. emotion
Perhaps the key theme in the text is the contrast between intelligence and emotion. Helen is presented as an intelligent and serious character and judges Rachel for being unthinking. Rachel is also judged by St. John Hirst, who believes that she is not well-read. Although throughout the novel Rachel begins to understand the importance of intelligence and critical thinking, she maintains the importance of emotions and feelings. During an argument, Rachel says to Helen "you're like Mr. Hirst. You see that things are bad, and you pride yourself on saying so... you're only half alive." Rachel sees the damaging impact that an over-reliance on intelligence has on characters like Helen, and thus maintains the importance of having a balance between the intellect and emotions.
Religion
During Helen's attempt at helping Rachel to progress and become a more intelligent person, the question of religion comes up. Rachel believes in religion but does not understand why. After a discussion with Helen and Hirst, she thinks about her religious faith critically, and then "rejected all that she had before implicitly believed." This is a key part of her progression, and of her starting to think independently.
Independence and progression
Although Helen is first introduced in the novel, The Voyage Out is truly about her niece Rachel. At the beginning of the text, she is presented as an unintelligent and ignorant character. Helen thinks that she might be interesting if she "were ever to think, feel, laugh, or express herself." Encouraged by Rachel's father, Helen invites Rachel on the trip to South America and attempts to help her grow and progress as an intelligent woman.
Throughout the trip, Rachel is confronted with different people, challenging events and critical discussions. For example, Helen and Hirst encourage Rachel to think critically about her religious faith, and question why she thinks the way she does. Although she does learn from her teachers, Rachel also learns what not to do from Helen and Hirst. This is because Rachel believes they have an over-reliance on their intellect, and therefore are not living a full life. When Rachel confronts Helen about this matter, she acts "as if she rather enjoyed the attack." As such, we get the impression that Helen is glad that Rachel is showing strength and independence in her assertions.
Gender and marriage
Although Rachel becomes more independent throughout the journey, she is not immune from the oppression of marriage. She believes that she has found a good match in Hewet, who is emotionally perceptive and kind. However, when they are engaged, he becomes more controlling. He believes that she reads "trash," and tells her what she ought to read instead, and also insists that she plays the piano when he wants her to. As such, Rachel begins to feel stifled by her relationship with Hewet, and we see some of the issues that women suffered within marriages in the early 20th Century.
