The core theme of Matt De La Pena's book, I Will Save You, seems to be love. The topic of love is seen and demonstrated, as is the desire for it by all. The author describes how love is important, how it can save lives, and how love must be experienced once in a lifetime.
Love as a Life-Changing Force
As the novel concludes, we learn that even though one does not end up with a girl in his lifetime, he should be known to have had contact with dating. It is also through compassion that negative stuff can be made better. The book also teaches us that through love, a person's life can change and that life is as hard as people make it.
The Power of Love to Overcome Challenges
For instance, it is through love that Kidd encourages Olivia that her skin disease can be treated by a laser. This fact gives Olivia hopes as she now knows that her skin could be cured and enables her to begin a new life. While at the beach, Kidd and Olivia spent most of their time together, symbolizing the genuine love they had for one another.
Kidd's Struggles and Transformation
The main character in the book is Kidd, a child with lots of problems. Throughout the novel we see Kidd struggling hard to become an average person. He has grown up with a belief in mind that no one cares about him; he is too inferior and worthless. Throughout the novel, he is seen struggling to be an average person with a bright future. He is broken and lonely, putting efforts in his life to escape the past. He has a best friend called Devon who is dangerous and very mean. With Devon around Kidd's life is turned upside down. He is there to set Kidd's life upside down. He has motives to destroy anything that makes Kidd happy, which in this case is Olivia, a beautiful girl who falls in love with Kidd. Later on, Kidd meets Red and Olivia who show him love and save him. They show him how talented he is and adorable. Through love and hope, Kidd's character changes.
The Sacrifices Made for Love
The theme of love is also evident whereby Kidd is ready to do anything to maintain his love relationship with Olivia. In this case, Devon is present to ruin this relationship. Kidd is so determined not to lose the life he has so struggled to build on the beach. So through love, he decides to end the life of Devon. Kidd is depressed and does stupid things. To take care of this Kidd chooses to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. At the end of the novel, Kidd is waking up from his coma only to see some doctors surrounding his bed and Olivia at one corner end. Through love, Olivia is seen explaining to Kidd that Devon never existed and that he was a figure of his imagination.
The Importance of Love in Relationships
As the book progresses, Maria who is a friend to Red warns Kidd to stay away from Devon. One day Kidd decides to walk out of the horizon in search of a good life. He ends up meeting with Red again, who through love gives him a job. Through love and respect, Kidd works extra hard and does everything that Red asks him.
The Bonds of Family Love
There is much excellent love between Kidd and his mother. In the book, Kidd remembers his mother, whom he loved with all his heart. Kidd also remembers his father who he tried to love but in return, used to beat him with his mother. Through love, Kidd's mother decides to put an end to their suffering. She does this by killing their father and herself too living Kidd alone, though without oppression from their father.
The Impact of Love on Kidd's Future
Olivia is Kidd's dream girl and helps him see his future and life in a better way. The theme of love is evident by Olivia's description. She is described to have blond hair, blue eyes, and a rich dad. She is considered the prettiest lady in Cardiff. Red is a guy who worked with Kidd, through love he helps Kidd through his dark moments.
A Positive Reflection on the Theme of Love
I have a positive relation towards this central theme of love. The events follow up in an organized manner bringing out the main idea. The other thing is the author setting; he chose the best place for this topic. The context of this book takes place on a beach in San Diego. The landscape is beautiful with beaches connected to cliffs; this is the point where Kidd kills Devon by pushing him down the cliff. The campsite is located in superb region where one can view the ocean from a distance. The weather around the beach is always perfect and sunny, a good environment for two people in love to enjoy themselves. There is also presence of a forest which is described to be very green.
