Jealousy

Jealousy is a common theme throughout the book. As the children grow up, they realize their worth is directly related to how popular their tent act is. If they are unique and have a successful show, they are more valued than someone like Oly, who is not freakish enough to command a tent act, but is instead relegated to being an announcer.

Jealousy is what drives Arty. He has been so jealous in the past, in fact, that he has killed other siblings that he feared were more unique and special than him. His younger sister Leona died from an "accidenal" suffocation, thanks to Arty's inability to control his jealous rages. If Chick had not had the telekinetic powers he did, he would not have been able to save himself from the same fate.

Although he does not ever admit to it, Arty's separation from the "norms" causes...