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
Harlan Dunfee grew up on a ranch in west Texas. He got into trouble three times and the Admiral got him off twice. Today is Harlan’s 26th birthday. There are hundreds of guests at his party, including Emby. He has Harlan’s right lung.
Revealing that Emby has one of Harlan’s lungs explains the Admiral’s interest in him, while also allowing Emby to remain firm in his belief that unwinding isn’t all bad.
Themes
At the same time, a jet containing Unwinds arrives in the desert. Hayden introduces himself to a young Unwind and the group of kids steps off the airplane. A young man in a golf cart arrives, speaks with Hayden, and turns to the crowd. The young man—Connor—introduces himself as Mullard and then as Connor. The Admiral never returns to the graveyard on account of his health. He returns to his ex-wife on their ranch and keeps himself alive thinking about Harlan’s party. He reasons that in a way, the stories about Humphrey Dunfee are true, since now all of Harlan’s parts are in one spot again.
The Admiral’s work to bring together all the people who received body parts from Harlan is another way for him to try to atone for unwinding his son. In this case, his atonement has to do with impressing upon all of those who benefited from Harlan’s unwinding that their health and success came at a price: Harlan’s life.
Themes
In the Graveyard, Connor addresses the new arrivals. His speech follows more or less what the Admiral’s was, and he makes sure to make eye contact with every Unwind. He says that he knows some want to just survive to 17, while others want to end unwinding. Connor says they won’t blow up chop shops and feed into the idea that Unwinds are violent. Instead, they’ll use their words, infiltrate harvest camps, and free kids. The kids cheer as Connor says they have a right to their lives, to their bodies, and they deserve a world where those things are possible.
Connor’s speech mirrors the Admiral’s, which shows that the Admiral was a major force in showing Connor how to be a good activist and leader. His insistence that they can’t blow up chop shops and appear violent also suggests that as the leader of the Graveyard, Connor will work hard to make sure his charges don’t end up like Lev did and join terrorist groups because they don’t know how to deal with their anger.
Themes
At the Dunfee ranch, Emby connects with the girl who has Harlan’s left lung. Conversations begin to converge and soon everyone is talking with one another. The Admiral and his wife both cry. The Admiral looks at the crowd and says, “Harlan?” They answer as one by calling the Admiral “Dad.” At the Graveyard, Risa plays a grand piano and smiles at the new Unwinds. She knows that this place is redemptive for them all. Connor watches her play and thinks that even this harsh place is beautiful. He finally allows himself to hope.
Risa’s piano playing offers up another way to be an activist and support others, as she can help to lift spirits in the Graveyard. Both her and Connor’s ability to now see that the Graveyard is beautiful suggests that they’ve learned to look beyond surface traits of places or people and understand that what matters is what lies beneath—and no matter the exterior, people can be kind, compassionate, and supportive.
Themes
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