Themes

There are three main themes in the book A Corner of the Universe

Theme #1- Acceptance

 

One of the main themes of this book is about learning to accept people's differences and being tolerant.  Hattie is a very tolerant person.  Hattie does not understand why many people do not accept others who may be different.  Hattie's grandmother, Nana, is very intolerant.  She makes Hattie and her parents feel like they are not good enough.  Nana thinks that everything and everyone has to be perfect and proper.  This is probably why Hattie's grandparents sent Adam away when he was a young boy.  He is mentally disabled and does not fit into Nana's "perfect" world.  Other people in the town also are not accepting.  When Adam comes home, many people stare and make fun of him.  They laugh at him and call him a "freak."  Even Nana is embarrassed by her son and wants to hide him away.   In the end of the book, Hattie shares her connection with Adam and helps her family become more accepting and tolerant.

Theme #2- Family

Another important theme in the book is family.  Hattie is the only daughter and granddaughter in the family.  Nana is very formal and is not a very forgiving person.  She wants everyone to fit perfectly into her life.  She also makes many demands on her daughter (Hattie's mom.) Hattie thinks that her grandmother controls her mom.   Hattie wants her mom to stand up to Nana, but Hattie thinks her mom never has the guts to do it.  Hattie eventually realizes that her mom is more independent than she thought.  Hattie's mom supports her dad, even though Nana thinks her daughter should have married someone more proper.  Hattie also finds out that her mom had always been a loving sister to Adam, even when he was away at school.  In the end of the book, Hattie's connection with Adam brings her family closer together.

Theme #3- Growing Up

Another important theme in the book is about growing up.  The story takes place during the summer when Hattie turns 12.  Hattie grows up a lot that summer because of her Uncle Adam and her experiences with him.   That summer, Hattie learns a lot about her family, about love and respect and about "lifting the corners of the universe" to look underneath what is "normal" and to think about things and make changes.