What is the theme in Old Yeller by Fred Gipson?

Survival is a central theme in the story. Papa has told Travis that to survive each animal has kill. There are many levels of survival in Old Yeller. Survival of the family is of utmost importance and Travis does everyday chores to ensure that, such as protecting the corn by killing coons and skunks so they will have bread in the winter, shooting a doe and turkey for meat to eat, and chopping down trees for wood and fences. When Papa left he had listed off these responsibilities to Travis and the reader is given a foreshadowing of what must be done to survive in the frontier.