Sacrifice

The novel explores sacrifice as a choice that can benefit the wider world as well as enhance one’s life rather than detract from it. Much emphasis in the first half of the novel is placed on how selfish and impulsive Ralph is. There is nothing malicious remarked upon in his nature. Rather, he is simply portrayed as young and unable to see outside himself to the existence of a larger world. He is literally contained inside his small mouse hole and is kept inside the hole for his own safety by his overbearing mother.

Ralph longs to go outside his hole and explore the world, and this desire mirrors his desire to grow up and get outside himself and his own selfish needs that are based on personal survival and desire. The moment he spots the motorcycle, he stops worrying about food and his own...