Knowing the true meaning of the word
From the prologue of the novel, the characters are interested in defining what the world raptor means. Ever since the young man was brought to Bobbie Carter with injuries created by some kind of animal, the other characters discussed what the world raptor could possibly mean. This discussion remains a common motif until the end of the novel.
Symbol for danger
When the young man is brought in with the bite from the raptor, the doctors all note that the body has a foul smell. Just before the man died, the smell intensified to the point where the doctors could no longer stay near the body. The putrid and repulsive smell is used here as a symbol for the dangerous nature of the raptors.
The lizards
In the first part of the book, the characters discuss the appearance of a seemingly innocent creature, some lizards that at first appear to be harmless. The same lizards however quickly become violent, attacking everyone they can, especially small children. The events eventually escalate and a small child is killed by a large group of lizards that attack him one day. The presence of the lizards is important in the first part of the book and they are frequently mentioned by the rest of the characters who either refuse to accept that the lizards are dangerous or who are excessively worried about them.
Burn the island to the ground
Another common motif in the novel is the idea that the founders of the Island expected it to go wrong and advised those who had some sort of power to burn the island to the ground if something bad were to happen. The idea that the island was supposed to be destroyed if anything went wrong is a common motif in the novel.
How will this change the face of science?
Another common motif in the novel is the question posed by various scientists regarding the way in which the reappearance of the dinosaurs will affect the scientific world in general and how the general population will perceive the reappearance of the dinosaurs. While some scientists are sure that the world will not be affected, others are not so sure and claim that the world will be forever changed by the dinosaurs in the park.
