Humanity’s Connection to Nature Theme Analysis

One of the most unusual features of the New World in The Knife of Never Letting Go is that animals can communicate with humans through Noise and sometimes even speech. The best example of the connection between humanity and nature in the first half of the novel is the relationship between Todd and his talking dog, Manchee. At first, Todd has a strained relationship with Manchee, only putting up with the dog because he was a gift from Cillian. This hostility reflects Todd’s relationship with nature in general, as he struggles against swampy terrain and crocodiles during the early part of his journey. But as Todd goes on and Manchee proves his loyalty by defending Todd against attackers, Todd begins to have a better relationship with both Manchee and the environment of the planet he lives on. Todd appreciates the spectacle of the enormous herd of “thangs” that he witnesses with Viola and Wilf, seeing how the animals can be dangerous but also how it’s possible to live in harmony with them. Todd also learns how to use the river as a means of transportation and how to use a waterfall to hide his Noise when he’s being pursued.

By contrast, the villains of the story like Mr. Prentiss Jr. and Aaron all have antagonistic relationships with nature and make no effort to change. Aaron, who sees nature as little more than a tool for his own ends, kills Manchee for the sole purpose of trying to provoke Todd. Similarly, Mr Prentiss Jr rides his horse hard, treating it as little more than a vehicle to try to catch Todd. Each learns the dangers of disrespecting nature, with crocodiles mauling Aaron at one point and with Mr Prentiss Jr losing a fight with Todd because his horse gets spooked. The fact that the animals in the novel have Noise symbolizes how nature is trying to communicate with humanity, and while those who learn to listen will get to share in nature’s wonder and beauty, those who try to dominate nature will fail to enjoy its benefits.