Man vs. Nature
One of the most prevalent themes in the novel is the struggle of man against nature. This can be seen through narratives of the protagonist enduring the harsh, unforgiving winter of the Canadian plains or in his initial strivings to tame the hard, unbroken soil of the farmland that they lease from his sister. In many ways both the land and the elements function as and can be treated almost like a character, or in many cases another antagonist, in the novel.
Man vs. Man
The clash between people holding on to differing ethical principles is another pervasive theme in the novel. Teo was unjustly incarcerated by the totalitarian Stalinist government which in turn causes Maria to shoulder the burden of raising their family by herself for two years. The cruelty of the Stalin regime is also what prompts the two to leave Ukraine for Canada. When they arrive have to contend with long hours of back breaking labor and struggle against fickle weather and lengthy, brutal Canadian winters; as if this wasn’t enough they also have to defend themselves and their farmland against the cruel machinations of the ruthless Stefan.
Triumph of the Underdog
In spite of all the difficulties that Teo and Maria undergo, they actually do manage to enjoy a modicum of success as farmers. In fact, even if they were renting out their plot of farmland from his sister, they were eventually able to coax a respectable crop from the land and were not just able to support themselves but his sister’s family as well. The indefatigable couple embody the immigrant success story, a major theme in the novel, and a variant of the underdog triumph theme. Here, two penniless and downtrodden characters brave adversity armed with nothing more than dogged determination to eke out a living from cold, barren soil—a story that has resonated with so many migrants all over the world over many eras.
Strained Family Ties
Many of the characters in the novel suffer from strained family ties. Teo and Anne aren’t particularly vocal about their dislike for one another but it is very clear in their interactions with one another. Anne experiences difficult relationships even within her own immediate family: her husband is an emotionally and physically abusive drunkard who abandons them during the long, harsh winter. The years of systematic abuse from her husband cause Anne to become exceedingly detached from her children.
Stoicism
When all is said and done, the objective, whether it is survival or financial freedom, provides Teo and Maria with the strength to weather any and all adversities thrown their way. This stoic endurance is not just the defining characteristic of the Mykolayenko couple but a theme in and of itself. It is the coping mechanism of choice, their strength, and their very reason for getting up in the dead of winter. It is what keeps them from caving in mentally and what allows them to keep getting back up no matter what circumstances come.
