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Chapter 3
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Knife of Never Letting Go, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Cost of Violence
Information vs. Knowledge
Bigotry and Misogyny
Humanity’s Connection to Nature
Summary
Analysis
Cillian comes running, and Ben warns him to cover up what he’s thinking with Noise. Ben asks Todd if he went through town and is nervous to learn that Todd did. They both agree that Todd has to leave Prentisstown immediately. They already have a bag packed for him and start running with Todd toward their house, warning him not to think about the Noise hole in his own Noise. Todd is confused but has no choice but to follow.
Todd’s adventure will involve him leaving the small town he knows and separating from his adoptive parents. He will have to learn how to become an adult, just not in the way he expected at the start of the story when he was anticipating his 13th birthday. Todd’s confusion in this moment shows how difficult the transition to adulthood can be, particularly at the beginning.
Themes
Cillian finds a book—even though books were supposed to be burned a long time ago—and gives it to Todd. Todd refuses to leave, but just then Mr. Prentiss Jr. knocks on the door and tells them to come out. Cillian goes to the door and tells Mr. Prentiss Jr. that Todd actually just left out the back door to do farm work. Ben tries to nudge Todd to actually leave, but Todd doesn’t move. Mr. Prentiss Jr. says he can hear both Todd and Ben’s Noise.
This passage illustrates the dangers that Noise poses to people. The lack of privacy makes it easier for authority figures like Mr. Prentiss Jr. to track what Todd, Ben, and Cillian are doing. Once again this could be a metaphor for the internet, specifically how it reduces privacy and makes people vulnerable to surveillance.
Themes
Mr. Prentiss Jr. insists on coming in to look for Todd, and so all of a sudden Cillian hits him, giving Mr. Prentiss Jr. a bloody mouth and stealing his rifle. Mr. Prentiss Jr. says he knows Todd found something out in the swamp and that the whole town has plans for him in a month. Cillian cocks the rifle, and so at last Mr. Prentiss Jr. leaves.
Cillian’s actions in this passage show that violence can be complicated and that being a good person doesn’t always mean choosing pacifism. This passage does leave open the question, however, of whether Cillian defends his family or if he makes things worse by antagonizing Mr. Prentiss Jr.
Themes
Cillian and Ben tell Todd that he has to take Manchee and go back to the swamp. Todd protests, but Cillian and Ben remain firm. Cillian says he’ll hold off Mayor Prentiss and everyone else chasing Todd for long as he can with his rifle, saying goodbye to Todd forever with his Noise. Ben will go with Todd to the river, then try to distract everyone on his way back.
Cillian ultimately reveals that, for all his aloofness, he is willing to risk his own life to protect Todd. This passage shows how tensions in Prentisstown seem to inevitably turn into violence, leaving no place for outsiders like Ben and Cillian.
Themes
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