Philosophy

Haig’s uses the theme of philosophy in order to characterize the novel as a modern philosophical exploration for young people. Traditional philosophical questions are posed in the context of the year 2020 in the hopes of conveying the meaning of life, which, in Haig’s eyes, involves making choices that are true to oneself.

Haig first introduces the theme of philosophy in the second chapter, with a playful allusion to the famous French philosopher, Voltaire, which is also the name of Nora’s cat. Right off the bat, the reader is able to deduce that Nora’s name for her cat stems from a love of philosophy. Even in Nora’s other lives, she names her pets after philosophers. Nora’s passion for passion for philosophy is present throughout the novel.

Philosophy is present in Nora’s lives in other ways as well. In her root-life...