The overall theme of the story is the importance of your community, no matter how separated they may become, in times of struggle, and what it takes to keep that. When Kiyoshi and his family became subject to a surprise inspection, the army takes the last of their food. Later, they help out in the kitchen, pickling vegetables, when Mrs. Katumoto gives him a jar for his family. “‘This is so kind’, she says...‘We must find a way to thank them,’ she says, patting the top of each jar, as if blessing them” (211). This shows how much a little act of kindness within their community helped Kiyoshi’s family when they were struggling. Also, when Twitchy is in the heat of battle, using every ounce of determined strength before he dies, he thinks about why he is giving up himself for his nation. “It’s for us, our brothers, here, who have died on this hill and dozens of battles before, for our families back home,” (292). This shows that Twitchy’s motive for fighting for his country is to protect his community and family, who are on an entirely different continent. This big sacrifice shows the worth of the people he’s fighting for and shows that it requires not only little acts of kindness but also large feats, even going as far as dying for them. In conclusion, the theme of the book We Are Not Free encompasses what it takes to protect your community and why you need to.