Change

Change is the predominant motif of the novel as it is about the change that occurs in the main character, Faye, as she enters a new phase in her life as a single mother living in London. As she moves from one point of her life to another, the narrative uses the characters of Gerard, Lawrence, and Paula and John to illustrate that people may outwardly look as if they have not changed, but that does not mean that have not experienced a change in their lives that makes them different than before and allows them to continue living their lives in a well-balanced manner. In contrast, others may have physically changed, however remained the same and this phenomenon leads to decline.

Early on in the novel, Faye meets her old boyfriend, Gerard. His outward appearance is the same. He is even carrying a violin which...