Life is Stronger than Death

Possibly the most important theme in The Big Wave is the concept that life is stronger than death. This message is repeated numerous times throughout the story as Kino's father teaches Kino about life, death, fear and recovery from grief. After the big wave kills Jiya's parents, Kino's father tells his son that Jiya will learn how to live with his parents' deaths as part of his life because life is stronger than death. As Jiya's body begins to heal, Kino's father notes that his body will also heal his mind and soul because life is stronger than death, even though Jiya is not yet ready to live. This foreshadows the fact that Jiya's mind and soul will heal, and then, he will be ready to live again.

As the years pass, Jiya grows strong and tall, proving that life is stronger than death...