Themes
First and foremost, the story is about family in the face of criminality: What would you do if your father was a criminal whose behavior repeatedly disrupted and threatened your family? Could you still love and respect him? Or would you completely disown him? Is it ever okay to disconnect from a close family member? And if so, how much distance is enough? We question the commonly-held belief that family bonds are holy and unbreakable, that the family must stick together no matter what. Family unity versus disconnection.
This is the story of Raymond and David’s personal struggle. David has always kept Father at a good distance. As an adult, despite knowing all too well his track record, Raymond wants to help Father. He struggles with keeping him in his life or out of it, especially considering Father’s stubborn refusal to support Mother and his younger sisters.
Crossing Borders also deals with the theme of letting go – not just from others but also from our own scars: “Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to just let go.” The story reflects the tremendous difficulty we have in separating from loved ones – whether in life or in death – our need to stay connected and our aversion to saying goodbye. Mother struggles to separate from Father; Raymond feels guilt for separating from his family. The theme of letting go of the past is also reflected, particularly with David, who is haunted by childhood traumas and simply cannot or will not let go.
Another issue that is dealt with is moral choices, the grey area between right and wrong, and what it means to do the right thing. Raymond remembers how bending the rules is perfectly fine if it is for a good purpose.
This is the story of Raymond and David’s personal struggle. David has always kept Father at a good distance. As an adult, despite knowing all too well his track record, Raymond wants to help Father. He struggles with keeping him in his life or out of it, especially considering Father’s stubborn refusal to support Mother and his younger sisters.
Crossing Borders also deals with the theme of letting go – not just from others but also from our own scars: “Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to just let go.” The story reflects the tremendous difficulty we have in separating from loved ones – whether in life or in death – our need to stay connected and our aversion to saying goodbye. Mother struggles to separate from Father; Raymond feels guilt for separating from his family. The theme of letting go of the past is also reflected, particularly with David, who is haunted by childhood traumas and simply cannot or will not let go.
Another issue that is dealt with is moral choices, the grey area between right and wrong, and what it means to do the right thing. Raymond remembers how bending the rules is perfectly fine if it is for a good purpose.
,The story, of course, includes the lucid depiction of a base, petty criminal and the ramifications of this lifestyle. We see Father’s flagrant and sometimes hilarious schemes and his warped way of looking at the world. Although his various scams and attempts to escape the law are at times entertaining, their effect on his family is awful and their ultimate consequences for himself are rather sad.
Finally, the triumph of the Dayan children to survive and flourish in their adult lives, despite the instability of their youth, is an inspiration and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
Finally, the triumph of the Dayan children to survive and flourish in their adult lives, despite the instability of their youth, is an inspiration and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.