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Part 3: Under the Influence of Adolescence
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The 57 Bus, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Gender and Sexuality
Adolescent Crime vs. Adult Crime
Binary Thought and Inclusive Language
Discrimination and Social Justice
Accountability, Redemption, and Forgiveness
Summary
Analysis
Sasha’s first surgery is quickly followed by a second, and they grow bored at the hospital, lying in bed all day long, waiting for their next dose of pain medication. Sasha’s favorite part of the day is “hydrotherapy.” The water is warm and relaxing, and it helps to break up the monotony of the day. Their friends come to visit and bring vegan sushi, but Sasha just wants to go home. Sasha’s roommate in the hospital, who had been chatty and kind, has come down with an infection and now just “moans and murmurs in his sleep.”
The declining nature of Sasha’s roommate’s condition serves as an example of what could happen to Sasha. Sasha’s burns are serious, and they could very easily contract an infection that threatens their life. Richard never expected that his prank would have such serious consequences, and this is further evidence of his underdeveloped brain as a child.
Themes
