What are the key themes in graduate books based on true stories?

Answer 1

The theme of family and its influence is quite prominent. In many of these true - story - based graduate books, the family can be either a source of support or a hindrance. In 'The Other Wes Moore', the two Wes Moores had different family environments that greatly influenced their life paths. Another theme is the search for truth. In books about real - life events and people, there is often a journey to uncover the truth about what happened, like in the case of Henrietta Lacks, where the truth about how her cells were used was a complex and important discovery.

Answer 2

Well, transformation is often a theme. For instance, in 'The Glass Castle', Jeannette Walls transforms from a child in a chaotic family situation to someone who is able to make a life for herself. Another important theme is the power of knowledge. In 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks', the scientific knowledge gained from her cells was huge, but it also raised questions about the ethics of how that knowledge was obtained. Also, the theme of survival can be found in 'A Long Way Gone' as Ishmael Beah had to survive the brutal experience of being a child soldier.