Themes in Fallen
Lauren Kate's Fallen weaves a tale of paranormal romance, exploring themes of love, destiny, and cosmic conflict. The novel delves into the complexities of forbidden relationships, the weight of fate, and the eternal struggle between good and evil, all while unraveling secrets that shape the characters' identities and destinies. Through Luce's journey, the story explores the enduring power of love, the quest for self-knowledge, and the tension between destiny and free will.
Forbidden and Fated Love
At the heart of Fallen lies the theme of Forbidden and Fated Love, epitomized by the relationship between Lucinda "Luce" Price and Daniel Grigori. Their connection is destined, with Luce and Daniel drawn to each other across lifetimes, yet cursed, as Luce's full acceptance of their love leads to her fiery death and subsequent reincarnation. This theme explores the tension between destiny and choice, asking whether true love can overcome even the most formidable obstacles.
- Initial Conflict: Daniel's initial coldness towards Luce is a manifestation of his struggle against their fate, as he believes pushing her away will protect her from the curse.
- Magnetic Pull: Despite Daniel's efforts, Luce feels an undeniable attraction to him, highlighting the fated nature of their bond.
- The Curse: The prologue illustrates the tragic consequences of their love, where Luce's declaration of love leads to her immolation, establishing the high stakes of their relationship.
Luce and Daniel are the primary drivers of this theme, with Luce seeking to understand her feelings for Daniel and Daniel fighting against their tragic destiny. Cameron "Cam" Briel offers a seemingly less complicated alternative, emphasizing the forbidden aspect of Luce's connection with Daniel.
Dive deeper into this theme on the Forbidden and Fated Love theme page.
Fate and Reincarnation
The mythological backbone of Fallen is the theme of Fate and Reincarnation, which suggests that certain souls are bound together across lifetimes, trapped in a cycle of destiny. Luce's existence is defined by this cycle, as she is reborn every 17 years with no memory of her past lives, fated to meet Daniel, fall for him, and die. This theme explores the idea of inescapable destiny and the possibility of breaking free from predetermined paths.
- The Cycle of 17 Years: Daniel reveals the specifics of the curse to Luce, emphasizing the cyclical nature of their relationship and the theme of inescapable destiny.
- Flashes of Memory: Luce experiences moments of intense déjà vu, suggesting that memory and identity are not entirely erased by reincarnation.
- The Photograph: The 1854 photograph serves as concrete proof of their shared past, forcing Luce to confront the reality of reincarnation and her place within it.
The Sword & Cross school, with its ancient cemetery, symbolizes the weight of the past on the present, mirroring the recurring past that haunts Luce and Daniel.
Explore this topic further on the Fate and Reincarnation theme page.
Good vs. Evil
Fallen presents a timeless war between Good and Evil, represented by angels loyal to Heaven and fallen angels (demons) who sided with Lucifer. However, the novel complicates this traditional dichotomy by blurring the lines between the two sides, suggesting that morality is not always black and white. This theme explores the complexities of morality and the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
- Angels and Demons: The students at Sword & Cross are revealed to be fallen angels, caught in a truce while on Earth, with characters like Daniel, Arriane, and Gabbe representing "good" and Cam, Molly, and Roland representing "evil."
- Moral Ambiguity: The characters' personalities challenge preconceived notions of good and evil, with Cam, a demon, being kind and protective, while Arriane, an angel, is abrasive and rebellious.
- Betrayal: Miss Sophia Bliss embodies the theme's complexity, presenting herself as benevolent but ultimately betraying Luce and Penn.
Light and darkness serve as powerful symbols, with Daniel associated with protective light and Cam associated with menacing shadows.
Explore this conflict further on the Good vs. Evil theme page.
Secrets and Deception
The plot of Fallen is propelled by Secrets and Deception, as Luce is thrown into a world where no one is who they seem, and the truth about her own identity and past is deliberately hidden from her. Her journey at Sword & Cross is a quest to unravel the mysteries that surround her. This theme explores the idea that truth is often hidden beneath layers of deception and that uncovering it requires courage and determination.
- Daniel's Secrecy: Daniel's primary goal is to keep his identity and their shared history a secret from Luce to protect her from the curse, leading to conflict and confusion.
- Hidden Identities: Nearly every supernatural character hides their true nature, concealing their allegiances and motivations.
- Luce's Own Secret: Luce keeps her ability to see the "shadows" hidden, isolating her and preventing her from understanding her connection to the supernatural world.
Luce's investigation into Daniel's past, aided by Penn, symbolizes the effort required to pierce the veil of secrecy surrounding Sword & Cross.
For an in-depth look, see the Secrets and Deception theme page.
Minor Themes
Identity and Self-Discovery
Luce's journey is one of Identity and Self-Discovery, as she moves from seeing herself as a dangerous, mentally unstable girl to understanding her true identity as a soul caught in an ancient, supernatural conflict. This theme is closely tied to the theme of Fate and Reincarnation, as Luce's understanding of her past lives shapes her perception of herself.
Isolation vs. Community
The reform school setting emphasizes Isolation vs. Community, as Luce finds herself cut off from the outside world and forced to forge new connections. This theme is connected to Secrets and Deception, as the hidden nature of the characters creates a sense of isolation even within friendships.
Guilt and Innocence
Luce is burdened by Guilt and Innocence, believing she was responsible for Trevor's death. This guilt shapes her self-perception until Daniel absolves her, freeing her to see herself as an innocent victim. This theme is related to Identity and Self-Discovery, as Luce's understanding of her past influences her sense of self.
Theme Interactions
The themes in Fallen are deeply interwoven, each one influencing and complicating the others.
- Forbidden Love & Good vs. Evil: The love between Luce and Daniel is not only forbidden by a curse but also by the war between Heaven and Hell. Cam's presence as a romantic alternative creates a "love triangle" that is also an allegorical choice between light and dark.
- Fate & Secrets: Daniel's secret-keeping is a direct result of their shared fate, as he hides the truth to protect Luce from the curse. This creates a paradox: to fight fate, he must deceive the person he is fated to love.
- Good vs. Evil & Identity: Luce's journey of self-discovery is tied to her understanding of the supernatural world. As she learns the truth about the angels and demons at Sword & Cross, her understanding of identity shifts.
Thematic Development
The themes in Fallen evolve as Luce's understanding of her world deepens, moving from a mundane to a supernatural context.
- Initial State - Human Problems: Luce's conflicts are grounded in a recognizable reality, dealing with guilt, adjusting to a new school, and navigating teenage social dynamics.
- Rising Suspicion - Uncovering Secrets: As Luce investigates Daniel's past, the themes take on a mysterious quality, with the discovery of the 1854 photograph introducing the theme of Reincarnation.
- Supernatural Revelation - Cosmic Stakes: Daniel reveals the truth about the fallen angels, the curse, and their shared history, elevating the themes to a cosmic scale.
- Acceptance and New Beginning: Luce accepts her new reality, understanding her identity is tied to this ancient struggle and setting the stage for the future.
Universal Messages
Through its paranormal romance narrative, Fallen explores several universal messages about the human condition.
- The Enduring Power of Love: True love can transcend time, death, and even divine curses.
- The Struggle for Self-Knowledge: Understanding oneself is a difficult and often painful journey.
- Destiny vs. Free Will: The novel poses questions about the extent to which our lives are predetermined, leaving open the question of whether Luce and Daniel can ultimately break the cycle through their own will.