LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in In the Dream House, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Queer Visibility
Christianity and Shame
Abuse, Trauma, and Healing
Storytelling, Responsibility, and Freedom
Summary
Analysis
After breaking up with the woman from the Dream House, Machado’s life seems to gape with space. She wonders if she’ll ever be able to let someone else touch her.
Even though the immediate danger of her relationship has passed, Machado feels empty, highlighting how trauma can linger long after the cause of that trauma has passed.