Freedom and Choice

This is the novel's core theme, both evoked and specifically defined at three principal points. These are the climax of Conchis' story of his experiences during the Nazi occupation of World War II, the climax of Nicholas' trial when he is presented with the opportunity to punish Lily, and in the book's final moments, in which he forces Alison into a position similar to the one he experienced on the previous two occasions. In all three of these instances, the choices made by the characters are portrayed as embodying an ideal, and, therefore, also embody the book's main thematic point - that ultimate freedom lies in the ability to choose, and the ultimate choice is freedom. Forced choice is not freedom, and where there is no freedom there can be no choice. There are two ironies here. The first is that Nicholas only learns the value...