Families

One of the main, recurring themes of the novel is that families are formed, not born. There are several instances of this in the novel. Even before the novel begins, Luc watches out for a young boy named Pierre at Monsieur Tatagani's. After Luc leaves with Prof, he daydreams about using Prof's money to build a home for him and Pierre and the other boys. Although the boys were brought into Luc's life out of circumstance, not family relations, he still feels a strong sense of loyalty and wants to protect them.

As the novel progresses, Luc begins to view the Professor as a father figure, as Prof actually is in many ways more of a father to him than his own father ever was. Prof rescues him from Monsieur Tatagani, builds a home with him, encourages him, and re-teaches him how to read. Though Luc...