What are the motifs in Shadowlands by William Nicholson?

God and religion are certainly recurring ideas in the book. Both Lewis and Joy are practicing, faithful Christians. Lewis has written religious works and gives talks on the subject. Indeed, at the beginning of Shadowlands in Lewis' first monologue, he introduces the idea that with happiness and pleasure comes pain and suffering. He argues that it is God's way of loving his creations. In the actual action of the play, Lewis and Joy's relationship with God is addressed and analyzed. Lewis does not like that Joy has to suffer with her illness, that he has found love late in life but has to lose it.