Motifs
Death- This book has so many things where they have died. What the author was trying to come across is that deaths are meant to be so that life can go on. An example is when Robert is forced to make a sacrifice and let Pinky get killed so that the family has enough food to survive the winter.
Education- Everything that happened in the book is just another part of Roberts educations. He has an education at school, and how Robert teaches Haven, and lessons that he learns from his experiences. Only when his education is completed does Robert become a man and assume the responsibilities of the family.