The Lonesome Gods
Themes
1. Knowledge and Education
Throughout the novel, the most dominant theme is education and learning. Because it is a 'coming of age' novel, it seems the purpose of every experience that Johannes goes through benefits him by opening his mind, creating new skills, or teaching universal wisdom. For example, he seeks a teacher who can help him learn to defend himself after realizing his vulnerability as an adolescent. Another good example is where Hannes spends several chapters gathering horses for Miss Nesselrode in the San Jacinto mountains. Furthermore, every situation in the book guides Hannes to accumulate more knowledge and become more self-aware.
2. Independence and free will
The Lonesome Gods is a very American book. It expresses themes that are inherent to our society. Consistently, Hannes learns to be independent and recognizes its importance for growth. In many cases, he is forced to become more independent, but it doesn't come unnaturally in the setting of the American frontier. As an example, after his father is killed, near the age of seven, he is brought into the desert and abandoned to his own wits.
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3. Pursuit of HappinessAdditionally, as Hannes progresses from childhood, he begins to try to identify the components of life that provide real happiness. He thinks often of his love interest, Meghan, and is always battling some form of opposition. He continually seeks happiness without a defined final destination. It is foreshadowed that he will confront his grandfather and the men that his killed his own father, but it seems that is less a priority than a side effect.
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