What is the theme in Year of the Elephant: A Moroccan Woman's Journey Toward Independence, and Other Stories by Layla Abou Zayd?

The price of independence is another theme in the book. Year of the Elephant is rife with ambivalence as to Moroccan independence. On the one hand, the ideals of self-governance and a strong national identity are clearly praised and condoned. On the other hand, cracks appeared in these ideals, and reality did not exactly resemble the dream of independence.