Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Unwind, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Inequality, Injustice, and the Law
Anger, Violence, and Radicalization
Activism, Compassion, and Atonement
Morality and Perspective
Summary
Analysis
Roland confesses to petty vandalism and theft. Connor begins to see that there’s a flaw in his plan, as he’s dead if he lets Roland out without a confession but he knows he can’t keep Roland in the crate forever. From outside, Hayden yells for Connor. Roland tries to scream for Hayden, but the sound doesn’t travel. Connor leaves the crate and sees that Hayden is bruised and anxious. Hayden says that the Admiral killed the Goldens and everyone thought he killed Connor too. Connor says that the Admiral didn’t kill anyone, but Hayden says that nobody will believe that—they’re tearing the Graveyard apart.
The things that Roland confesses to suggest that aside from his willingness to use sexual violence and potentially kill Connor, his preferred method of pushing back is primarily nonviolent and quiet. This doesn’t diminish the fact that Roland is still an angry and out-of-control boy, but it does suggest that Connor seriously misjudged him when he decided to lock him in this crate and extract a confession.
Themes
When Connor gets to the area outside the Admiral’s jet, he sees bonfires and debris everywhere. A group of kids kicks something, and Connor realizes they’re kicking a person. It’s Cleaver. Connor rushes in, scattering the kids, and comforts Cleaver. Cleaver, however, smiles and says that chaos is beautiful—and this is a better way to die than suffocating. Connor stares, thinking that the only other person who would know about the Goldens is the culprit. Connor accuses Cleaver of killing them with Roland, but Cleaver says that Roland is innocent. He dies laughing at the look on Connor’s face.
The way that Cleaver talks about chaos suggests that he believes entirely in action and in being a part of that action, no matter what the cost is—even if that cost is his life. His confession that he killed the Goldens, meanwhile, suggests that he cares about “creating chaos” even in death, as he clearly recognizes that Connor is going to have to deal with the fallout of suspecting Roland.
Themes
Connor races to the Admiral’s jet and bangs a metal pole against the wing to get kids’ attention. He screams at them and says they should all be unwound, which shocks them back to sanity. They obediently help him put the stairs back up to the hatch and as soon as it’s up, Risa throws the hatch open. Connor is shocked by the gust of hot air. Risa is fine, but the Admiral is having a heart attack. They carry the Admiral down the stairs and Connor forcefully tells the muttering kids that the Admiral didn’t kill the Goldens or Emby. Risa notes that the Admiral has to get to the hospital. Connor leaves Hayden in charge and takes three boys to Roland.
Connor’s recognition that he needs to ask Roland for help suggests that over the course of the last few months, learning to channel his anger and hearing about others’ perspectives means that Connor has developed a sense of humility. Now, he recognizes that he’s not always right, especially in a situation like this where the proof (thanks to Cleaver) is clear that Connor was indeed wrong.
Themes
