Literary Themes
Feelings of Isolation
A major theme in many YA novels is the feeling of isolation. Oftentimes, the main character feels like they do not belong in their society, and they do not feel accepted. Todd is a perfect example of a character who feels isolated from his society, as he is the only boy in a society of men. He is twelve years old, and only one month away from being a man. The men in his society do not socialize with Todd. So the only company Todd has is with his dog, Manchee, whom Todd is not too fond of. The end result is that Todd feels completely isolated from the members of his society, so he finds himself looking forward to the day when he can be considered a man.
A major theme in many YA novels is the feeling of isolation. Oftentimes, the main character feels like they do not belong in their society, and they do not feel accepted. Todd is a perfect example of a character who feels isolated from his society, as he is the only boy in a society of men. He is twelve years old, and only one month away from being a man. The men in his society do not socialize with Todd. So the only company Todd has is with his dog, Manchee, whom Todd is not too fond of. The end result is that Todd feels completely isolated from the members of his society, so he finds himself looking forward to the day when he can be considered a man.
Distrust of Authority
In many novels, the main character has a reason to distrust or be critical of authority roles in their society. Todd was brought up in a society of lies. His entire reality has been built on the lie that all the women were killed by the Noise germ that had been released by the Spackle. Growing up, Todd had no reason to distrust the authority figures in his society. But when Todd and Viola fight to escape from Prentisstown, they encounter a woman, Hildy, who is the first to reveal to Todd that he has been lied to. As Todd continues on his journey, he encounters more and more people who reveal bits and pieces of Prentisstown’s violent history, and he slowly learns that the authority figures of Prentisstown are not people who can be trusted.
In many novels, the main character has a reason to distrust or be critical of authority roles in their society. Todd was brought up in a society of lies. His entire reality has been built on the lie that all the women were killed by the Noise germ that had been released by the Spackle. Growing up, Todd had no reason to distrust the authority figures in his society. But when Todd and Viola fight to escape from Prentisstown, they encounter a woman, Hildy, who is the first to reveal to Todd that he has been lied to. As Todd continues on his journey, he encounters more and more people who reveal bits and pieces of Prentisstown’s violent history, and he slowly learns that the authority figures of Prentisstown are not people who can be trusted.
Tense "Parent-Child" Relations
Many young adult novels and films express a tense relationship between the teenager and his or her parents. This disconnect is often caused by misunderstanding and miscommunication between the two generations. Todd is an orphan who was brought up by two men, Ben and Cillian. Todd thinks Cillian hates him. But Ben, a kind, caring, listening figure, says that that isn’t the case.
Many young adult novels and films express a tense relationship between the teenager and his or her parents. This disconnect is often caused by misunderstanding and miscommunication between the two generations. Todd is an orphan who was brought up by two men, Ben and Cillian. Todd thinks Cillian hates him. But Ben, a kind, caring, listening figure, says that that isn’t the case.
Loss of Innocence
The loss of innocence is an important theme in young adult literature because the loss of innocence typically signifies the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. In The Knife of Never Letting Go, the boys of Prentisstown become men when they lose their innocence by committing a violent act. Viola works especially hard to protect Todd’s innocence and prevent him from committing this act. However, after Viola makes the ultimate sacrifice, the sacrifice of her innocence, Todd comes to the grim conclusion that, “‘I think maybe everybody falls,’” (468) meaning that no matter how hard an adolescent tries, it is inevitable that they will fall from grace and lose their innocence. By the end of the novel, Todd does consider himself to be a man, but he does not lose his innocence and become a man through committing violent acts. Instead, he becomes a man by standing up for what he believes in and protecting those he loves, which is a far more nobler and brave act.
The loss of innocence is an important theme in young adult literature because the loss of innocence typically signifies the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. In The Knife of Never Letting Go, the boys of Prentisstown become men when they lose their innocence by committing a violent act. Viola works especially hard to protect Todd’s innocence and prevent him from committing this act. However, after Viola makes the ultimate sacrifice, the sacrifice of her innocence, Todd comes to the grim conclusion that, “‘I think maybe everybody falls,’” (468) meaning that no matter how hard an adolescent tries, it is inevitable that they will fall from grace and lose their innocence. By the end of the novel, Todd does consider himself to be a man, but he does not lose his innocence and become a man through committing violent acts. Instead, he becomes a man by standing up for what he believes in and protecting those he loves, which is a far more nobler and brave act.
Loss and Death
In young adult novels, the death of a loved one is used to signify the loss of innocence and the realization of mortality. Until someone loses a loved one, the idea of death is a more abstract concept. Teenagers often have this idea that they are invincible in the world, but death forces a change in that mentality. Todd had the misfortune of being brought up through loss, having lost both of his parents when he was very young, so he knew the consequences of death. However, when Todd loses Manchee, it’s a very painful experience for him. As painful as it is, it is important that Todd experiences this death, because it signifies the end of his childhood and the start of his manhood.
In young adult novels, the death of a loved one is used to signify the loss of innocence and the realization of mortality. Until someone loses a loved one, the idea of death is a more abstract concept. Teenagers often have this idea that they are invincible in the world, but death forces a change in that mentality. Todd had the misfortune of being brought up through loss, having lost both of his parents when he was very young, so he knew the consequences of death. However, when Todd loses Manchee, it’s a very painful experience for him. As painful as it is, it is important that Todd experiences this death, because it signifies the end of his childhood and the start of his manhood.
Symbols
There is really only one prominent symbol in this book, which is Todd's knife, given to him by one of his adopted fathers when he is forced to run from his town. Todd wrestles with it and its purpose from the very beginning of the novel, foreshadowing its significance in the final act.
"But a knife ain't just a thing, is it?" he ponders as he is presented his first real opportunity to use it. "It's a choice, it's a thing you do. A knife says yes or no, cut or not, die or don't. A knife takes a decision out of your hand and puts it in the world and it never goes back again."
The knife is the symbol of Todd's arduous, violent journey toward manhood. It physically represents the choice he has to make about what kind of man he will be: the kind Aaron and the rest of the men of the town want him to be, or the kind Ben wants him to be.
"But a knife ain't just a thing, is it?" he ponders as he is presented his first real opportunity to use it. "It's a choice, it's a thing you do. A knife says yes or no, cut or not, die or don't. A knife takes a decision out of your hand and puts it in the world and it never goes back again."
The knife is the symbol of Todd's arduous, violent journey toward manhood. It physically represents the choice he has to make about what kind of man he will be: the kind Aaron and the rest of the men of the town want him to be, or the kind Ben wants him to be.