My Soul to Keep

Love and the true nature of love is another major theme in the novel. As Dawit moves through his life, it is difficult to tell if he really loves the people with whom he comes in contact. He admits that he does not love Christina and Rufus. He realizes as he spends time with Kira that he had begun to become attached to Rosalie. Despite the love that he claims to feel for Rosalie, however, Dawit kills her. He believes he is being kind to her by killing her, but at the same time believes he is a monster for killing his own child.

Again, Dawit believes that he loves Jessica and Kira enough that he wants them to live with him forever. Although Dawit may believe this is love that he is showing to his family, it is a selfish love. Dawit has been selfish in his love from the beginning of his relationship with Jessica. He has started a family with her knowing that he cannot stay with her as a normal husband. Eventually, Dawit will either have to leave, or he will have to explain to her the reason why he doesn't age. When Jessica learns Dawit's secret, she is concerned about the way Dawit will feel about her as she begins to age. It is already known that Dawit killed his daughter, Rosalie, because she was offensive to him in his old age.

Dawit's odd type of love does not take into consideration what is best for Jessica and Kira. Although Jessica's salvation is one of the most important aspects of her life, Dawit does not take this into consideration when he decides he wants her to be immortal. Although he does not intend to do so, Dawit permanently separates Jessica from her daughter. He also puts the decision of whether to let Kira die or give her immortality in Jessica's hands. In his attempts to show Jessica his love, Dawit has caused Jessica more pain than happiness in the long term.