There are three main themes which may be of interest in terms of social sensitivity and which are very well portrayed and discussed in Theo. These include the theme of child orphans, the survival and understanding of death both in general and in terms of the loss of family members or close friends, and the understanding and support between differing cultures and religious groups.

Theo can be used very effectively within the context of the depiction of an orphan.

Young Theo is a realistic orphan who not only has lost his parents—his mother at childbirth and his father in the war—but also his brother. The way in which his attempt and ultimate success in survival is portrayed is useful in giving positive messages in regard to orphans. A young boy who has gone through the worst possible situations is shown to survive...