Immigration status
In the Midst of Winter pays special attention on the immigration status of many of its characters -- especially co-protagonist Evelyn Ortega. Evelyn is originally from Guatemala, where she escaped from to search for a better, safer, and prosperous life. But she didn't leave Guatemala in a traditional way. Instead of going a "legal" route. she entered without her papers. However, Allende doesn't portray Evelyn as a rule-breaking criminal. Through Evelyn's actions, Allende shows that she is a contributing member of society and that her immigration status doesn't change the fact that she is kind, upstanding person who only wants the best for herself and those around her, despite entering illegally, causing readers to compare morality and legality.
The complicated nature of love
One of the most significant themes in the novel is the complicated nature of love. At one point in the novel, Allende unravels the complicated relationship Richard Bowmaster had with a woman in Brazil. Because of that relationship, which ended in tragedy, Richard was overcome with grief. That grief sent him down a dark path: he isolates himself and becomes increasingly more lonely, preventing him from connecting with other people and healing himself. Nevertheless, after a strange course of events, Richard finds himself in unfamiliar territory once again. More specifically: he starts to fall in love with someone once again -- something he never thought would be possible. He and an older Latina woman, Lucia, begin a whirlwind romance. Like Richard, Lucia had a complicated series of relationships, some of which (like Richard) she was scarred by. Despite their pain and suffering, when Richard and Lucia find each other, they click immediately. Because of their love, they work through the other things plaguing them.
