Loss

Loss is one of the most prominent themes of the story, because the bulk of the story is centered on the death of the father. The main character being the narrator centers the story on how the narrator deals with the loss of his father. Thus, Urroa uses symbolism, character development, and imagery, among other devices, to examine this theme. Loss is an important theme because Urroa explores it to address concerns such as how best to deal with loss and how one can be deeply affected by loss of a loved one.

Urroa’s use of imagery and symbolism establishes the close relationship between the narrator and the father in order to amplify the degree to which the loss of the father affects the narrator. When the narrator describes the wreckage of the father’s car, he remarks that a picture of himself and his...