Themes of Diceys Song by Cynthia Voigt :: essays research papers

There are several themes in the story Dicey?s Song by Cynthia Voigt. Some examples of them are the attraction of the unusual, the connection between reaching out and receiving, letting go by holding on and holding on by letting go, which all play an important role in this novel. The attraction of the unusual would refer to the appreciation of others to Dicey and her unusual ways. Dicey was used to rejecting the conventional and breaking traditional roles. She was annoyed with the predictability and shallowness of her classmates and others around her. She didn?t care about how she looked or what she wore or even how polite or impolite she was. Instead, she devoted her concern to her family. The people who were considered outcasts and were shut out from conventional life were the ones who reached out to Dicey. From this, we see they were attracted to the unusual. In the novel characters learn how to reach out to one another. For example, in the beginning Gram completely secluded herself from the community and also her family but in the end opens herself up to the rest of the Tillerman children and also to others such as Mr. Lingerie, Maybeth?s obese piano teacher. Dicey learns how to except a helping hand from others such as Mina, a classmate who defends her when accused of plagiarism, and a ride home from Jeff a guitar-playing loner. From this, it shows the connection between reaching out and receiving. Throughout her entire stay in Crisfield, Dicey practiced letting go by holding on and holding on by letting go. She eventually lets Gram take control as the parental figure in the house and through this is able to hold on to her family. Also, in the past Dicey tried to hide her feelings about upsetting events in her life, but when Momma dies she reflected on those memories and was finally able to let go. In other words, Dicey learns how to let go but also hold on.