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Chapter 7
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
When Dad comes out of his bath and finds no food in the fridge, he gets the Chinese takeout menu. Immediately, Michael says he wants numbers 27 and 53. Dad calls in the order and gives Michael money to go around the corner to get the food. When Michael gets back, Mum and the baby are home. Dad plows through his food and then goes for some of Michael’s. Michael protects his food with his arm and teases Dad that he’ll get fat. Mum joins in. Dad jiggles his belly, tickles the baby’s chin, and goes to the fridge for a beer. Michael carefully packages his leftovers and places them in the trash can.
Michael’s parents try to keep things light and humorous for Michael, unaware of all the inner struggles he’s dealing with as they make lighthearted banter over dinner. Michael, it seems, is more cognizant of hardship than his parents give him credit for. They treat him as a small child when in reality his recent experiences have brought him closer to adulthood.
Themes
