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Chapter 25
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Skellig, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Weakness, Strength, and Hardship
Curiosity, Nature, and Transformation
Love, Empathy, and Caregiving
Imagination, Magic, and Faith
Summary
Analysis
Later, in Mina’s yard, Mina shows Michael a picture of the archaeopteryx—a flying dinosaur. Mina explains that the archaeopteryx’s bones had no pneumatization, making it heavy as a stone and capable of only short flights. Some theories believe today’s birds evolved from the archaeopteryx. Michael looks into Mina’s expectant eyes, thinking of Skellig and the baby. Mina says that evolution isn’t over. Taking Michael’s hand, Mina says that she and Michael are extraordinary. She says Skellig’s name, and Michael feels she is calling Skellig from within him, from the place where dreams come from. Suddenly, Michael and Mina notice Leaky and Coot standing behind them, pointing and laughing.
Significantly, birds started their evolutionary lifespan as awkward, ugly creatures. The archaeopteryx did not suggest the marvelous abilities of birds as they appear today. Michael links the archaeopteryx with Skellig and the baby. This association suggests that similarly unassuming and unremarkable creatures, such as Skellig and the baby, can also be capable of transcending their present, unassuming existences as well.
Themes
