Fate vs. Free Will

With this theme, the author provokes questions about the possibility of a predetermined destiny for the characters. The Gold siblings visit a fortune teller at the beginning of the novel and she tells each of them the exact date when they will die. Simon and Klara believe in these prophecies and make choices accordingly, whereas Daniel and Varya do not (or they do not admit to believing in it). Simon, Klara, and Daniel all die on their predicted days, while the novel ends before revealing Varya's fate. The author asks if the very knowledge of these dates causes the characters to, unconsciously or intentionally, act in ways that will cause the predictions to come true. Simon engages in reckless sexual behavior at the beginning of the AIDS crisis because he believes he is going to die young anyway. Klara commits suicide on her...