Misanthropy
As Annie remembers Ben he highlights his thoughts, sentiments, and behaviors that he had before his eventual transformation. To an extent, Ben was a misanthrope in part due to his contempt for humankind and their flawed nature. He kept addressing that humans have forgotten to be humans and thus the root of their suffering. In that, they are abandoning feelings and instincts for the incessant pursuit of truths and knowledge that are counterproductive to human nature. His initial behavior when he was still human showed his hate and he shared his quandary with Annie frequently. Ben’s transformation into a more primitive form might be a physical response to the dislike he harbored for humanity. His mind detested humankind and he wished to not be part of it, which would apparently happen literally to him. The narrative is hinting to the theme of misanthropy regarding the abhorrence for how modern society is forgetting what it is to be human.
Memory
The narrative majorly relies on Annie’s memory in illustrating who Ben was and how their lives were before his reverse evolution. It delves into the nature of memory from a human standpoint being Ben is gradually becoming a smaller organism and his consciousness is now trapped. Annie aware that the essence of Ben only lies in her ability to memorize him prompts her to make sure she does not forget. As Ben transforms into a smaller organism over time his humanity also goes with it and so are his ability to memorize. The story highlights how the memory of others is the most vital element about an individual when they are not themselves or rather no more.
