Hoot | Themes

Hoot Themes

Environmental Conservation and Animal Rights

The main theme of Hoot is protection and conservation of the natural environment and wildlife. This theme is shown most clearly in the children's attempts to save the burrowing owls at the Mother Paula's construction site. Later, many of the adults who find out about the owls also agree that they should be protected. The only character who appears to directly oppose the notion of conservation is Chuck Muckle, whose company stands to lose a great deal of money if construction on the new Mother Paula's site is stopped.

This message of environmental conservation is laid out for the reader when Roy goes on an airboat ride with his parents. By observing the natural beauty he does not typically see in Coconut Cove, he understands what Mullet Fingers is fighting for:

That night, lying in bed, Roy felt a stronger connection to Mullet Fingers, and a better...
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