What is a major theme in the book?

The dream of a better situation for oneself and others often directs the path an individual takes in life. Cassius Clay had a dream from the time he was very young, but it was not specific toward boxing at first. The earliest dreams were focused on his desire to be allowed access to places he had been banned and to be treated equally with others. Cassius never forgot moments of overt prejudice he and others faced, and these prompted him to focus harder on becoming rich and famous, which was at the center of his dream. The novel does not flow strictly in chronological order, meaning the reader sees the effects of Cassius's dream in the opening pages when he was trying to win his first Golden Gloves championship. He made it to the semi-final round, which was an incredible feat considering he had won nothing but local rounds leading up to that point. When the events of the novel dropped back in time, the reader discovers the events that led to Cassius's dream.