What Is The Theme Of They Both Die At The End

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In my book They Both Die at the End is a book about the inevitability of death, love and loss. The story follows two teenage boys, Mateo and Rufus. They both have received a call from Death-Cast, a service that notifies people when they have less than 24 hours to live. They navigate their last day on earth together, they form a deep connection and find meaning in the face of death. The novel ultimately argues that life is precious and should be lived to the fullest, even in the face of death.

One theme in this book is the importance of living life to the fullest. “I wish I would've known that sooner, that I wasn’t supposed to be here forever. That death wasn’t a surprise but an inevitability.” (Pg. 42) Mateo and Rufus both get the call …show more content…

“I don’t want to die. I’m not ready for this. I need more time.” (Pg.6) Mateo is initially hesitant to take risks and try new things, but over the course of the novel, he becomes more courageous and takes charge of his own life. He helps Rufus and other people meet throughout the day, even when it puts him in danger. This highlights the idea that heroism is not just about physical strength, but also about courage and selflessness. Mentor is portrayed by Lidia. “I’m not going to let you sit here and mope all day. You’re going to get up and do something.” (Pg.20) Lidia is a friend of Mateo’s who encourages him to take risks and try new things. She helps him to see that life is short and that he should make the most of the time he has. This highlights the idea that mentors can help us to grow and develop by providing guidance and support. The third archetype is the trickster portrayed by Rufus. “I’m Rufus. I’m a troublemaker, I’m a thief. I’m a kid with a death sentence.” (Pg.15) Over the course of the novel, he reveals a more complex and vulnerable side. He helps Mateo to take risks and try new things, but he also struggles with his own feelings of guilt and loss. This highlights the idea that tricksters can be both mischievous and complex, and that they can help us to see the world in new and unexpected ways. I showed their archetypes with photos demonstrating what they did and were like on