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
Blue and Edwin sit together at their booth, watching the dancers emerge from the locker room for Grand Entry. Edwin tells Blue that the emcee’s voice they’re hearing announce the dance is his father’s voice—the father he’s never met. Edwin excitedly watches the dancers file out onto the field, feeling a rush of pride and belonging. Edwin stands up and says he’s going to get a taco—Blue urges him to go talk to his father. Edwin says he’s nervous to do so, and Blue says she’ll go with him.
Edwin both wants to meet his father and fears doing so. He has come so far in such a short time, but another major life event could either derail him or bolster him.
Themes
Blue and Edwin approach the sound tent, and Harvey seems to recognize Edwin right away. He puts his mic down, takes off his hat, and stands to wrap Edwin in a big hug. Harvey introduces Edwin to Jacquie Red Feather, and Edwin calls Blue over to meet the both of them. As Edwin introduces Blue, he notices that her face goes pale and twisted. Blue attempts to hurry out of the tent, asking Edwin to come with her. As the two of them walk back to the table, Blue tells Edwin that she believes Jacquie is her mother. Edwin is confused, but tries to smile at Blue—who is clearly freaking out.
In this passage, Edwin and Harvey are not the only far-flung relatives who reconnect. Unlike Edwin, though, Blue is not yet ready to meet the mother she’s never known, and instead retreats into herself, consumed by anxiety and uncertainty.
Themes
