Oppression and Systemic Injustice
The novel portrays life aboard the generation ship Matilda as a rigidly stratified society, where the lower-deck residents—primarily dark-skinned—are subjected to violence, forced labor, and dehumanization by the ruling upper decks. This structure reflects the historical legacy of slavery and ongoing systemic oppression. By showing how institutionalized injustice shapes every aspect of the characters’ lives—language, healthcare, education, and even religion—Solomon critiques hierarchical power systems and highlights the enduring consequences of oppression. The novel emphasizes that these injustices are not the product of a few cruel individuals but of entrenched, exploitative systems.
Identity, Gender, and Bodily Autonomy
A central theme in Aster’s story is the struggle for self-definition in a world that seeks to impose restrictive labels and deny autonomy. Aster’s identity as an intersex, gender-nonconforming person challenges the rigid binaries enforced by the Matilda’s oppressive society. Their experiences illustrate the importance of bodily autonomy and the right to self-understanding, especially in environments that weaponize difference. Through Aster’s journey of self-acceptance and the resistance to societal constraints, the novel explores the complexity of identity and underscores that personal freedom often begins with reclaiming one’s own body and sense of self.
Trauma and the Quest for Healing
The intergenerational trauma experienced by those living on the lower decks—passed down from ancestors who were enslaved—shapes both the psyche of individuals and the culture of their communities. Aster’s personal grief over her mother’s death intertwines with the collective suffering of her people, illustrating how trauma can be both deeply personal and widely shared. The novel explores the challenge of healing in a world where oppression continues to inflict fresh wounds, emphasizing that survival and resistance are often acts of defiance and resilience in themselves.
Knowledge, Science, and Resistance
Aster’s fascination with medicine and her skill as a healer and scientist highlight the power of knowledge as a form of resistance. In a society that withholds education and medical care from the lower-deck inhabitants, her pursuit of scientific understanding becomes both a personal tool of survival and a means of challenging oppression. The novel suggests that access to knowledge—and the ability to interpret the past—can become a pathway to liberation, even in the most controlled environments.
Isolation and the Search for Connection
Throughout the novel, Aster struggles with feelings of alienation—stemming from her identity, the legacy of her mother’s death, and the oppressive environment of the Matilda. Yet the relationships she forms with characters like Giselle and Theo demonstrate the possibility of finding connection and mutual support even in hostile circumstances. These moments of connection highlight the importance of empathy and solidarity in resisting dehumanization and sustaining hope under brutal conditions.
