Marriage and Family
Jakub Prochazka, the main character in the novel, is married to Lenka. The couple lives together in Prague. However, their union is strained once Jakub goes on a mission to outer space. Due to loneliness, Lenka leaves Jakub and relocates. The theme of family is also explored through Jakub’s family. Jakub’s father is a torturer and a member of the Communist Party, which ruled with an iron fist. The family was treated with contempt by the community due to Jakub’s father’s atrocities.
Loneliness and Alienation
The mission to outer space leaves Jakub’s wife, Lenka, lonely. Also, Jakub feels lonely and alienated as he travels to space to investigate a dark particle cloud called Chopra. Unable to bear with loneliness, Lenka leaves Jakub and relocates to another region. The feeling of loneliness coupled with the loss of his wife makes Jakub despair.
Self-ambition vs. Love
The main difference between Jakub and his wife Lenka appears to be that he values his ambition over his love. Jakub does not spend much time with his wife. Self-ambition costs Jakub the love of his life. Lenka feels lonely and isolated most of the time. As a result, she leaves her husband and starts another life. Jakub never gives his wife enough attention due to his overwhelming ambition to visit outer space.
Friendship
The theme of friendship drives several actions in the novel. Jakub’s friendship with his mission engineer, Petr, is unquestionable. When Jakub travels to outer space, Petr communicates with him regularly. Petr also spies on Lenka and informs Jakub about her departure. Friendship is also explored through the relationship of Jakub and Vasily. Vasily took sole responsibility to save Jakub and ensure he is not imprisoned once he lands on earth. Such a move shows friendship.
Death
When Jakub spots a figment in the form of an alien spider, he remembers the death of his parents. The death of his father brought resentment to the entire family. Jakub’s father was a pesterer, and the community disdained the family after his death. Death is also witnessed when the Russian shuttle crash-lands and kills all the astronauts save for Jakub.
