Themes
Several themes are explored throughout the story. Central to the plot is the importance of hope, determination, and steadfastness during periods of great adversity. In the book, Colin is absolutely determined to help his brother by finding a cure for his cancer, despite being on nearly the opposite side of the world without any realistic means of helping at all. Acceptance of the inevitable and the value of spending time with loved ones are also prominent themes as Colin views the relationship between Ted and the dying Griff, realizing that Luke, too, is fated to die and therefore the right choice is to accept fate and cherish Luke's remaining time.
Colin's determination to save his brother leads to some humorous incidents as he attempts to invade Buckingham Palace and seeks out a well-known doctor at the "Best Cancer Hospital." Meanwhile, Colin's relationship with a young man dealing with his lover's AIDS, exemplifies the book's earnest honesty while also introducing some humorous moments. More seriously, Gleitzman depicts the denial and anger that accompany grief, portraying Colin's egocentricity, spunk, and pain compassionately and without condescension. Neatly tied together by the incidents involving the Queen, this mixture of genuine emotion and humor makes for an engaging story that should have broad appeal.
Read more about this topic: 2 Weeks With The Queen
Famous quotes containing the word themes:
“In economics, we borrowed from the Bourbons; in foreign policy, we drew on themes fashioned by the nomad warriors of the Eurasian steppes. In spiritual matters, we emulated the braying intolerance of our archenemies, the Shi’ite fundamentalists.”
—Barbara Ehrenreich (b. 1941)
“I suppose you think that persons who are as old as your father and myself are always thinking about very grave things, but I know that we are meditating the same old themes that we did when we were ten years old, only we go more gravely about it.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)