Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in They Both Die at the End, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Mortality, Life, and Meaning
Human Connection and Social Media
Choices and Consequences
Friendship and Chosen Family
Business, Ethics, and Dehumanization
Summary
Analysis
Damien isn’t dying today because he didn’t receive a call from Death-Cast, but he thinks that this is a shame. He’s not impressed with his life lately—it’s been boring without his usual sources of adrenaline rushes, like starting stuff with his gang. Damien plays darts alone and talks to Peck on the phone. He tells Peck that it was silly to call the cops on Rufus and says they should’ve dealt with Rufus themselves. Peck agrees and says that the cops likely didn’t chase Rufus because he’s a Decker. Damien, feeling excited and purposeful, says that it’s time to get justice for Peck.
Damien’s thought that it’s a shame he’s not dying indicates that Damien doesn’t think much of his life right now. Though it’s understandable to feel down since he doesn’t seem to have much purpose to his life, it’s clearly dangerous that his source of purpose is hurting others. Even if he doesn’t think much of his own life, Damien thinks even less of others’ lives.
Themes
