Where the Lost Wander

One of the novel’s major themes is conveyed through dialogue by Jennie Lowry to her stepson, John: “The more you love, the more it hurts. But it’s worth it” (26). The power of love to create, endure, and transform pain is demonstrated in the narrative arc of the relationship between John and Naomi.

Before John and Naomi fall in love, neither really has any interest in truly getting to know other people. John says he can’t think of anyone he wants to know except for Naomi, and Naomi says she would rather “draw faces than know what’s going on behind them” (126). This changes after they realize how much they matter to each other. In learning how to be vulnerable with Naomi, John also finds a sense of purpose and direction in his life that he previously lacked. Meanwhile, Naomi experiences the kind of fulfilling romantic relationship that she failed to have with her first husband, Daniel.

When Naomi is kidnapped by the Shoshoni, however, their love brings them the greatest pain that either one has ever endured. For John, it is the pain of not knowing whether or not Naomi is alive as he searches for her frantically.