It should be obvious by now that sacrifice is a major theme of this novel. Consider the following exchange
between Shadow and .“Lucy”:
Your task in this essay is to analyze the theme of sacrifice through this novel. What is Gaiman saying about
sacrifice, and how does he illustrate his perspective on sacrifice throughout the novel? Make sure that you use textual evidence to explain your choices.
1: Your task is not merely to identify examples of sacrifice; you must be able to articulate what
Gaiman is saying about sacrifice in this novel.
2: A common mistake in this essay is to construct a thesis which argues that Gaiman is saying that
the gods need sacrifice in order to survive. The problem is that you would merely be pointing out a central plot mechanic (how the novel works) and not a theme (what the novel means).
Sample Solution
