What is the theme in After the Dancing Days by Margaret I. Rostkowski?

Heroism is the main theme. In the time after the First World War, returning soldiers, and those who had died in battle, were considered heroes. The families of the soldiers needed to think that their sons were not wounded or killed in vain, and assigned their valiant efforts the role of heroism. In the novel, Annie learns the true meaning of heroism through her friendship with Andrew and her altered perception of her Uncle Paul's death.