The motif of warfare and PTSD.
Three separate accounts of war causing paranoia and PTSD are shown in the novel. The political refugees live in the cage of the father's PTSD. Lauren feels trapped by Nate's abusive, confusing behavior after his tours in Iraq. Luis, overwhelmed by the gruesome scenes of warfare he witnessed in Afghanistan, tries and fails to commit suicide. The novel is about PTSD, and especially PTSD in veteran and refugee communities.
The motif of domestic violence.
The recurring scene of paranoid men beating their wives is an unfortunate aspect of the book, but it's a serious issue and one that the novel navigates with clarity and sincerity. Yes, the men are victims of their trauma, but their evil actions fall on their own head, since as the title suggests, they are responsible to find a healthy, sustainable life, regardless of their past—or just to face the problem head-on and to try and work with a professional, at least.
The allegorical murder of Bashkim's mother.
Was Bashkim's mother's death caused by paranoia? Or was her call to Allah too strong for Nate to handle, given his past experiences in Afghanistan? Regardless, one thing is sure—the murder scene is the ultimate depiction of tragedy in the novel. Although not his "fault," per say, Nate's actions could have been avoided if he had taken his violent tendencies seriously and had sought the help of a professional. He definitely shouldn't be holding a gun with PTSD from wartime.
The allegorical adoption of Bashkim by Luis.
One interpretation of the foster care provided by Luis is that it represents the adoption of the foreigner, a sign of forgiveness for a soldier with PTSD. Luis was afflicted by his accidental killing of a child, and life has awarded him an opportunity to help give a child a hopeful future, but only because he had the humility and sincerity to work with professionals on his psychopathology.
The letter as a symbol for continual tragedy.
When Luis is overcome by his misery and confusion, he writes a letter that ends up seriously hurting an 8-year-old, both emotionally with its content, and for real, because the letter triggers the boy's father into a panic attack. This is a meaningful symbol for the tendency for broken, unhealthy people to take their pain out on innocent victims.
