Maturity
Trumper, by his own admission, has been doing nothing all these years. He has commitment issues, and even though he loves Biggie, he marries her only when she gets pregnant. He is disowned at this point by his father as he believes that Trumper had been living an irresponsible life and needs to be more mature. He makes several life choices which have a profound impact on people around him and hurt them. The novel is a sort of coming-of-age novel where he is trying to learn the way to live responsibly.
Fatherhood
Trumper, at multiple points, express that his father had let him down by disowning him at the time of his need to make him ‘grow up’. But, ironically he is doing the same thing to his son Colm, by giving him an environment when he can ‘grow up’. Later, he lets him down when he leaves Biggie and Colm to go to meet Merrill. Even though he loves Colm, he can’t bring himself to have another baby with Tulpen. Trumper is just trying to figure out how to be a father.
Self-discovery
The novel is a journey of Trumper trying to find himself. Throughout the novel, he covers various locations as part of his journey. At every place, he learns a lesson in life. Finally, at the end of the novel he is more mature, is more sympathetic with Tulpen and has moved on Biggie marrying Couth.
Bravery
Trumper hates confrontation and avoids expressing his emotions to people. He is a coward and, by his admission, is trying to change himself. As a metaphor to his cowardice, he agrees to try the water-method which is the most passive treatment for his abnormally narrow urinary tract. When he looks at his penis and finds it abnormally large, he is shocked to know that this was actually normal, symbolizing that he normalized his cowardice.
Friendship
Trumper is constantly thinking about his friends, Couth, Ralph and most importantly, Merrill Overturf. He misses Merrill tremendously and even considers naming his son after him. He is more forthcoming with them and is nostalgic of his days with them.
