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Chapter 10
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Kensuke’s Kingdom, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Companionship vs. Isolation
Hardship, Survival, and Adventure
Coming of Age
Nature
Memory and Escapism
Summary
Analysis
The adult Michael reveals that four years after the initial publication of his story, he received a letter from Michiya Ogawa, Kensuke’s son who has long believed his father to be dead. Michiya and his mother were not in Nagasaki when the city was bombed, so they survived. He does not remember his father, so he asks to meet Michael to learn more about Kensuke. Michael travels to Japan to meet Michiya.
The adult Michael returns to explain the outcome of the fictional first edition of this book, which leads to Michael meeting Kensuke’s son. The similarity between the names Michiya and Michael emphasizes the father-son bond that Kensuke has with both characters, and Michael himself becomes a stepping stone of sorts, enabling Michiya to vicariously feel connected to his father even in Kensuke’s absence.
Active
Themes
