Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Messenger, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Selfishness vs. the Collective Good
Youth, Memory, and the Future
Humans and Nature
Identity and Difference
Summary
Analysis
Kira and Matty wake up early the next morning. Kira straps a large bundle containing her frame, needles, and thread to her back. Matty tries to tell her not to bring it, but realizes she needs it for her gift. Thinking of the weight of the food in his own pack, Matty is almost relieved that Kira hadn't let him fix her leg. He also notices that she's comfortable walking the way she is, and realizes that she would've become someone different if she had two straight legs. When they're ready, Kira takes one last look around the room and shuts the door.
Though Matty's sense of urgency makes him less able to be understanding and compassionate, the fact that he's still able to understand that it's essential for Kira to bring her embroidery materials shows that he understands that the best way for them to make it through Forest is to do what he can to take care of Kira and make her journey enjoyable and safe for her. She’s also made it clear that embroidery is essential to her gift, which will surely be useful on their journey.
Themes
As they walk, Kira notes that though she's walked a forest path between her cottage and the center of the village, she's never been in Forest and has always been a little afraid of it. Matty thinks that the path seems darker, and asks Kira if she's afraid now. She says she's not, since Matty knows Forest so well. Though Matty knows she's right, he thinks that things don't look as familiar as they should, and it definitely feels hostile.
Keeping it from Kira that Forest seems different is a way for Matty to feel as though he's taking care of her and looking out for the common good. It allows her to feel confident in their journey, rather than slowing them down by acting afraid or upset about what they might find in Forest.
Themes
Back in Village, Leader tells Seer that Kira and Matty have entered Forest. Seer is relieved that Kira agreed to come, but Leader explains that because of her gift, she knew it was time. The two men listen to the sounds of Mentor directing a crew as they prepare to build the wall. They hear him reprimand someone and it makes Leader wince. Seer asks Leader to look at Mentor and tell him what Mentor looks like. Leader obliges and says that Mentor is taller, has lost weight, and his bald spot is gone. He shrugs, saying that people do strange things for women. Seer asks Leader to look beyond again, but Leader assures him they're fine. He keeps it a secret that when he looked beyond, he saw that Forest is thickening and getting ready to destroy Kira, Matty, and Frolic.
Here, Leader does the same thing with Seer that Matty did with Kira: he believes at this point that if he keeps it a secret that Kira and Matty are in grave danger, Seer will be happier in the long run. This is still a secret, however—something that, within Village, isn't supposed to be acceptable. This suggests that eventually both secrets will have to come out, while also showing that there are times when Village's rules can be bent or broken in order to take care of someone else.
Themes
