Love

Love is a major, dominant, and overarching theme in the novel, "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" by Carrie Ryan. Love appears in the novel in two very distinct forms, but with similar consequences for the characters, and for the plot. Love appears in both the romantic and the familial form.

In terms of romantic love, the characters of Mary, Cassandra, Harry, Travis, Beth, and Jed are all affected. While love is not the basis for marriage in the village, love often blossoms between those engaged, and prompts men and women to become engaged. Love fuels the marriage of Jed and Beth, as Jed risks his life to save his wife for just a little while longer. Mary's love of Travis prompts her to want to risk everything to be with him, including betraying Harry. Harry's love of Mary compels him to ask her for her hand in...