Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in There There, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Cultural Identity vs. Personal Identity
Storytelling
Interconnectedness, Coincidence, and Chance
Generational Trauma
Summary
Analysis
As the morning goes on, Blue feels herself becoming more and more aware of the safe. She never considered it a safety hazard or a liability in the weeks leading up to the event—but after getting nervous because of Jacquie’s presence, she has noticed a group of “thuggish-looking guys” standing nearby, and is growing bothered. As the group creeps closer to the table, Blue tells herself she’s being paranoid—no one would rob a powwow. Nevertheless, she looks under the table at the safe, which is covered up in a brightly-colored Pendleton blanket, just to be sure it’s still with her.
Blue’s instincts are calling out to her and telling her that something is wrong—but to her, the idea of someone causing violence at a powwow or simply disrupting the joyful, sacred gathering is unfathomable.
Themes
