Themes

Themes

Contradiction of School

School is currently the most reliable source of education for students. However in this story, school is not shown as the most trustworthy place for students. Rather it is shown as a place where tragedies take place. Everyone dies in a domino effect and students are exposed to these deaths. Do second year students of elementary school know this stuff? Is it too much for them to consume? In this matter, the story makes readers question what the true meaning of education is and the function of schools in education.

Death

"is death that which gives meaning of life?"(p.182) As students watch the death of people and things nearby, they reveal this mature understanding of death. Even though it is clear that nobody explained the concept of death to them. By the theme 'death' the story is trying to address responsibility, fear and loss of innocence. However, within this theme lies the ability to hope for new opportunities in order to gain positive results, showing the cycle of life and death.