What is the theme in The Dark Room by Rachel Seiffert?

Shame and embarrassment make up the major theme in the book. Throughout the novel, the themes of shame and embarrassment are prominent, but for very different reasons. Helmut feels shame because his physical disability forces him to be different from the rest of Berlin society during World War II. He is unable to join the military, often mocked, given charity, and generally regarded as less than other members of society. His parents, and particularly his mother, feel embarrassment at their son's disability, as their friends' sons go to fight for Germany.