Island

Isolation

Individualism

Journey 

Spirituality 

Peace

"All Gods are homemade, and it is we who pull their strings, and so, give them the power to pull ours."

The people of Pala are largely Hindu by nature, but are different and unique at the same time. By believing that they give the gods the power over themselves, they are not ruled by their spirituality. Will Farnaby hears this as he tours the island after his shipwreck, and this leads him to reconsider his own spiritual life, which is mostly atheistic. This allows Will to realize that he has the power to give the otherworldly beings influence over his own self, and this turns out to be a key aspect as he falls in love with the isolated island and the people that inhabit it. The use of the word power allows for an easier depiction of who this power belongs to in Paleness society.

"...two-thirds of all sorrow is homemade, and so far as the universe is concerned, unnecessary."

The people of Pala believe in a society in which sorrow is contagious and should not be shown in public, as it will affect others' moods. This quote is effective at showing how most of the sorrow that we have in our lives is not necessary, and that a different approach to the matter will cause the sorrow to dissipate. Will enters the island with the sorrow of how his own life is panning out, and the idea that this sorrow can be alleviated changes his way of thinking. The use of the word universe causes a feeling that our sorrows are minuscule when in comparison to the whole world and galaxy.

I found that many of the societal ideas presented in the Island align with what I imagine a utopia to be like. The idea of sorrow being something that is highly manufactured in our own heads is something that really stuck with me. I know try and be as happy as possible around others in order to try and brighten their day and make sure that my mood does not affect them negatively. Also, I find myself to be very conscious of the natural world, just as the Paleness islanders were, which is a connection that was formed as the novel was read.

Our world today could benefit if some of the ideas from the novel were implemented, such as population control, making life more simple, no armies, peace, and a ramping up against crime. The human population would be happier in general if many of these ideas were actually set into place. However, this would never happen as the world is too set into its ways to truly change. Will Farnaby brings examples of the outside world with him to Pala, and it is shown how the island utopia has conquered many of the problems that society faced and still continues to face.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-Time

Isolation 

Love 

Fear 

Identity

Truth





"And maybe it is easier living on your own looking after some stupid mutt than sharing your life with actual human beings."


Written just after Christopher discovers the truth about his mother, this quote signifies the fear of isolation that Christopher's father struggles with. The only person he has to reach out to is his son, who most of the time wants nothing to do with humans whatsoever. This is the point where he conveys that life would sure be easier without Christopher's behavior, but at the same time would become much more empty, as Christopher is all he has. The memories are now raw of how his wife left, and having to explain why he covered it up does not help Christopher's father.


"Life is difficult, you know. Its bloody hard telling the truth all the time."




This quote connects the theme of truth or the lack of to the acts that Christopher's father committed. He ended up killing Wellington because he did not want to accept the truth, and he ultimately lied to Christopher in order to lesson the blow. Yet, this quote also proves that lies often come back to bite you, as shown with the father and son's crippled relationship. This quote can also be tied back to Christopher, as he has a tendency to lie to an extent by withholding the whole truth. 

As an introvert myself, I understand how life might be seen as easier if lived in isolation rather than with other. Is this a good idea? For sure not, but it would have its pros. Christopher's dad is living in virtual isolation, as Christopher does not behave adequately in any social situations. He sees the pros that Mrs. Shears is enjoying by living away from the influences of people, and he is remotely jealous of her lack of responsibility to others.




Within the context of the world, truth is something that is necessary to hear, but it may not be something that we are wanting to hear. The truth can hurt, just as it hurt Christopher and his relationship with his father. Yet through this hurt is an understanding that must be achieved. Once this understanding is found between Christopher and his father, they can slowly begin to reform their bond from the damage that the truth caused. This is true of most things, as even the most hurt of relationships can be rebuilt, even if it not back to their original form.