Animal Dreams Identity Theme

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There are a variety of themes in the story Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. But the one that revolves around most in the story is Codi Nolines search for her identity. This ends up taking her on a problematic exploration of memory of truth and self-identity. Doc Homor, Codi’s father, plays a big role in this as well. Through her journey, she finds out that not only her father is telling her a different story, but so are the townspeople. Codi encounters traumatic experiences throughout the novel that just add to Codi’s struggle. In the end, however. Codi learns that the search for identity is not enough to give her peace, a sense of belonging that she needs, and security of her past. The story takes place on All Souls Day, a Roman Catholic day of commemoration of the dead. This plays a big role for Codi because her life has been full of death. She has previous scars from the early loss of her mother, also the loss of her baby that she miscarriage. This prevents her from living …show more content…
Codi is at the cemetery where her father is now buried. She asks Viola to take her up to the field where she had watched her mother’s death. She then remembers the scene of her mother’s death and is certain that it is true memory. Codi still questions her past but is now feeling as she belongs in the community. She no longer feels like an outsider and has a sense of belonging in a family with the community. This shows me that she has accepted who she is and is now ready to move on and live life. She is now pregnant with another child and knows where she stands in life. As she recovers memories of her past, she finds that she has always belonged in Grace and that she is a very important part of the community. She has a great part in the town of Grace not only because she comes from there, but because she has a lot to offer it. In the end, Codi finds that her past resembles Grace and that this is where her past has taken
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