How to pick out theme in chapter 8&9

I think identity and role in the community might be one. Ikem is a symbol of the voice of the people that live in Bassa. The older man says the words Ikem writes are his way of fighting for the poor and this is more important than Ikem attending special events around the village. The man goes on to point out each person has a role to fill in this world and it is for a reason. He says each of the parts leading up to an event, the event itself and after facts are all important, but points out the story of the event is the most important aspect because the story lives on.