The Goldfinch

Main Ideas

• The coming-of-age and self-discovery of the main character, Theodore Decker, who goes through tragedies, losses, and trials
• The theme of loss and grief, and how a person copes with fear and loneliness in a world where they have lost loved ones
• Exploration of the impact of art on a person and how the artwork, The Goldfinch, becomes a symbol of hope and salvation for Theodore
• Critique of consumer society and the emptiness of modern life, along with reflections on eternal values
• The theme of friendship, betrayal, and redemption, as well as the complex relationships between characters as they develop
• The interplay between fate and chance, and how unpredictable events can drastically change a person's life