Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in This Is Where It Ends, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Gun Violence
Community and Tragedy
Family and Sibling Relationships
Change, Uncertainty, and Growing Up
Abuse
Summary
Analysis
Sylvia follows Autumn as the paramedics put her on a stretcher and take her out of the building. She hates to leave Tomás behind next to his murderer. There’s a small smile on his face, and it seems like he might get up and join her. She reflects that she always wanted Autumn to stay home and near her, but not at the price of her passion for dance. They pass through the empty hallway and Sylvia looks into the auditorium, which she entered that morning with no idea what was coming. Hazily, Autumn asks if they’re “free” now, and Sylvia squeezes her hand.
It’s important that Sylvia stays loyal to Autumn, never questioning her despite her brother’s actions. In this way, Sylvia is a contrast to the other students, who seem suspicious of and even angry at Autumn. Sylvia’s behavior is a firm rejection of Tyler’s habit of abusing others in retaliation for events outside their control.
Themes
Claire watches as paramedics begin to carry wounded students out of the school. Finally, the ordeal is over. Claire walks away from the crowds and police cars, heading for the woods behind the school. She knows she should call her sister and go home, but for now she just sits by herself and cries.
The officers’ successful evacuation of the school represents the technical end of the shooting. However, Claire’s feelings of paralysis suggest that the day’s psychological consequences— personal and communal—will be long-lasting.
Themes
Autumn floats on the stretcher, holding tight to Sylvia’s hand. She feels that the world has completely changed since the last time she was outside the school. Even though she has no idea who she is or where she belongs, she knows she can’t and won’t lose Sylvia—that would mean letting Tyler win. As she’s loaded into the ambulance, Autumn turns and kisses Sylvia on the lips.
At the beginning of the novel, Autumn’s relationship was a constant source of anxiety. Now, even though everything else in her life is upended, the one thing in which she has total confidence is her relationship with Sylvia. Accepting the possibility of change in that relationship has allowed it to grow stronger.
Themes
Mei posts on her blog that despite all the information coming out the school, she can’t bring herself to believe that her father Mr. Jameson is dead. After all, he always told her that the universe is full of stories— and thus full of hope.
Mei’s wishful thinking is understandable, but it also indicates her psychological inability to accept and understand the horrific events of the day.
Themes
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