comment on theme

The play’s most evident thematic element is its consideration of the relationship between life and literature. There are several facets to this consideration, the most apparent being the way that its two central characters define themselves, their identities, and their relationship in terms of the books they read, think about, and enjoy. On another level, the bond between protagonist Bella and antagonist Christopher begins to form as a result of their interactions around literature in its most basic form – i.e., with Bella being Christopher’s university writing instructor. This initial, more formal connection leads them connect further, and more informally, as they discover each other’s shared love for certain books, and even further as a result of their engagement with each other’s fuller-length manuscripts. In short, and on this level, literature – both read and written by the characters – functions throughout the play as a catalyst and/or metaphor for change and evolution in the characters and their relationship.