Key Theme in Novel + Development

Task - What do you consider to be the key theme in the novel. How is the theme developed in the novel.

In the novel ‘The Five People You Meet In Heaven’ written by Mitch Albom the reader is introduced to many themes that the author gets us to think about deeply. The theme that I consider to be most important or key theme is the idea of fate and how we are all connected. This theme is developed through the usage of continuity right from the start to the end. There are three key elements of the novel that help develop the theme of fate and how we are all connected, they are- Eddie’s death at the beginning and the resolution at the end, the use of flashbacks and Eddie’s birthdays which act as a clever linking device.

Firstly, Eddie’s death at the beginning of the novel clearly establishes the theme of fate and how we are all connected in some way. In the introduction to the story the author uses an almost obvious foreshadowing technique by giving the reader hints of the events to come. Within the first lines we are told that ‘This is a story about a man named Eddie and it begins at the end, with Eddie dying in the sun’. This first line clearly establishes a sense of mystery regarding to how Eddie dies and instantly captures the reader’s attention. This quote mainly deals with the idea of fate and of what is to come.

Another element is the usage of flashbacks that take Eddie back to his past, it is then that Eddie realizes his connection to the five people he meets in heaven. For example Eddie did not know who the Blue man was, but it turned out that Eddie had once known him at a young age, as he had worked at Ruby Pier (where Eddie had spent most of his life) but most importantly Eddie had caused the Blue man’s death without realizing it. It is therefore somewhat ironic that the Blue man is required to teach Eddie the idea of fate and “That we are all connected”.

Eddie’s birthdays are an important linking device that also develops the key theme on fate and how we are all connected. Eddie’s birthdays have the similar advantage of the usage of flashbacks, they give the reader a chance to pick up clues on past events that they may not have considered before or develop their understanding further of the key theme. For example on many of Eddie’s birthdays we learn about his connection to other characters in the text especially the less familiar ones he knew on earth like the Blue man, Ruby and Tala.

The resolution at the end develops the idea of fate and how we are all connected really well. Nicky, the young man whom lost his key was actually the one of the people who caused Eddie’s death when his key s got caught in the amusement park ride (Freddy’s Free Fall). We learn that Nicky is the great grandson of Ruby and that a little girl named Amy or Annie was the reason Eddie sacrificed himself for and will meet Eddie when she dies to understand one of the secrets of heaven and ‘why she lived and what she lived for’. The key phrase in the ending that truly establishes and gets the reader to think about the main theme (fate and how we are all connected) is the phrase on page 208 on the last 3 lines ‘That each affects the other and the other affects the next, and the world is full of stories, but the stories are all one’.

In conclusion the key theme of ‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven’ is the idea of fate and how we are all connected. This theme is developed continuously by the author’s clever placement of various narrative techniques, styles and devices. Mainly by the use of constant flashbacks, Eddie’s birthdays plus the introduction and resolution is what makes the novel get a grasp of the reader and make them think more deeply about this theme and the world that they exist in. That it really is a small world after all.

Essay Topic: Eddie's Relationship with Minor Characters

Describe the main character of the text you have studied and analyse his relationship with at least two other characters.

In the novel ‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven’ by Mitch Albom, the main character, Eddie, has developed some interesting relationships with the other characters in the novel. In this essay I am going to analyse Eddie’s relationship with the Blue man, Marguerite and Tala. These characters play an important role in the story and their relationship with Eddie helps him to better understand his life on earth and his journey to self discovery.

The first character that plays an important role in the story is Joseph Corvelzchik, better known as the Blue man. He helps Eddie to understand that everything in life is connected. Eddie soon learns that he was the cause of the Blue man’s death at a very young age, where Eddie ran out onto the road to collect his baseball causing a fatal car accident that tragically took the Blue man’s life. He also tries to help Eddie to understand that there are “no random acts in life” that all things, both in life and death situations, happen for a reason.

The second character that plays an important role in the story and was very much loved by Eddie was Marguerite, his wife. She taught Eddie that memories live on and that love does not die just because the person dies it is something that can still be felt in a spiritual state of mind. The quote on page 185 clearly declares this idea and the bond between Eddie and Marguerite’s everlasting love “I was still in love with you”
“I know” she nodded. “I felt it”
“Here?” he asked.
“Everywhere” she said “that’s how strong lost love can be”.


The third character that plays a symbolic role in the story is Tala, the little Philippine girl that Eddie was not able to save during the war. Eddie believed his life was worthless although after his death when he meets Tala and realizes that his duty in life was to look after the children and keep them safe. The symbolic imagery used towards the end of the novel of Eddie washing away Tala’s burns reinforces this idea and his relationship to Tala helps him to understand what his role was in life, he was the keeper for young children, despite never having any of his own.

In conclusion Eddie’s relationships with the Blue man, Marguerite and Tala are all significant and each of these unique relationships helped him to better understand himself in some way. He learnt that everything in life happens for a reason, love never dies and that his duty in life was to look after young children. Eddie believed his life was worthless but after his death and during his time in heaven it is revealed to him from these three characters and another two ( the Captain & Ruby) that his life was full of meaning after all.

Thoughts on Eddie

What do you think of Eddie?
Do you feel sorry for him?
Do you like or dislike his character? Explain.

I think Eddie is a very understanding and genuine character whom is often misunderstood by others or sometimes even himself.

In some parts of the novel i do tend to feel sorry for him at times. He seems to be unaware of how much he has meant to some of the people in his life and how much they appreciated him.

I like his character. He has come from a very dysfunctional upbringing or family life yet he has been able to forgive those whom have sinned against him which is one characteristic that is very admirable.