What are the motifs in City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende?

Willingness to adapt is a recurring idea in the story. Alex has grown up with a lack of respect for Kate because he doesn't like her lifestyle simply because it's different from his own. Kate has traveled the world and is a famous writer. Alex can't understand that this is Kate's passion and that it's an honorable life. He sees only that she doesn't baby him by providing food that he likes and giving him what will make him comfortable. It takes a great deal of time in the Amazon for Alex to come to realize Kate's lifestyle is different, but equally acceptable if only he is willing to adapt.