Loss
Loss is a pervasive theme in The Furrows. For Cassandra, the loss comes in three forms: the loss of her father, who abandoned her and her mother; the loss of her mother, who mentally abandoned her by giving most of her effort into her new organization; and her brother, who disappeared after a nasty accident. Cassandra lost the three most influential people in her life in many ways. People that ordinarily would help her become a well-rounded, successful, and happy person. Loss indescribably shapes Cassandra and alters her life fundamentally.
Contending with grief
Grief is one of the most important themes in The Furrows. After the accident involving Wayne occurs, Cassandra is blamed for her brother's disappearance her parents (and many people around her). Besides that, she still felt tremendous guilt and grief over her brother's accident and subsequent disappearance. And though the accident happened when she was only twelve, Cassandra had to contend with the grief over the loss of her brother for all of her life. She saw his face all over: in the subway, in cafes, in shops, in her home, and in her airplane—among many other places. Most never get over their grief; instead, it takes different forms. Cassandra has overwhelming grief which she neither addressed nor talked about anyone. She lived with her grief, allowing it to control her life in many different ways and forms.
Abandonment
Another important theme in the novel is abandonment. In the book, Cassandra is abandoned by two people: her father, who physically leaves and abandons her, and her mother, who mentally abandons her. On the one hand, after the disappearance of Wayne, Cassandra's father leaves her and her mother and begins a new family. On the other, Cassandra's mother dedicates most of her time, effort, and mental energy to a new organization that aims to find and rescue lost children. Cassandra's abandonment as a result of her mother and father causes tremendous inner turmoil. It also causes her to feel profound anguish and grief.
