Independence Day | Themes

Independence Day Themes

Independence

The theme of independence in the novel harkens back to the founding fathers and the birth of our nation. Frank Bascombe is a man who appreciates the history behind the Declaration of Independence. For him, the Fourth of July is not merely a fireworks-and-hotdogs celebration, but rather a holiday to honor the remarkable achievement of our forefathers. Nevertheless, despite his frequent use of "independence," Frank's definition of the word is more like a concept of unification. To Frank, the independence declared by the colonies came at the price of unification, or rather, interdependence. All 13 colonies had to achieve a mutual agreement before independence could be declared, and this was certainly no easy task. This theme, then, embraces unification as a measns to achieve self-sufficiency. Only from a unified base can we grow independently.

The practical applications of Frank's theory are seen both in his relationship with his son and...
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