Orphanhood versus family
One of the main themes of the book is whether someone has family or not. For Jennings, that is clearly a yes. He has a mother and several siblings, and their father abandoned them all, but they had each other. That is, until Jennings's mother abandons him at an orphanage. Then, whether he has a literal mother or not, it is clear he is without a provider or caretaker. These themes are underscored by the need of Jennings as a child. It isn't like he can apply for a job and get a lease. He is truly dependent, and yet, his "Family" leaves him in desperate want.
Neglect and abandonment
What enables the kinds of neglect and abandonment that are featured in this novel? Well, there is alcohol for one thing. At least in Jennings's opinion, the alcoholism of his father and mother disrupted their family and set them on a cycle to fail. When Jenning's mother abandons him, she lies to him, which is revealing about her character, and she has always struggled with neglecting her children, because she is obsessed with getting her way. As a controlling person, she forgets that she has moral responsibilities for her loved ones.
Humans are a family
The most important theme is evident toward the end and in the epilogue, when Jennings explained that this disappointing experience of family, fosterhood, and orphanhood, eventually led him to a realization, that there were people who cared about others. Eventually, he gave his life to serve his community, he explains, by being a police officer so he can extend the same reach of dignity and love to his community. Just like not all mothers are good mothers, he learns that not all police are bad—consider the police officer who almost took him in. Sal, the bus driver, does take him in, another instance of serendipity and human kindness.
