Editing There There by Tommy Orange (section)

=== Themes of Identity and Displacement ===
At its core, ''There There'' is about identity. The novel explores the complicated nature of being Native American in the 21st century, especially in urban environments like Oakland, where Native American communities have historically been dispersed and fragmented. These characters grapple with the tension between their cultural heritage and the pressures of living in a predominantly white, urban society. Many of them struggle to define what being "Native" means in a world that often forces them to confront stereotypes and expectations.

The theme of displacement is also central to the narrative. Urban Native Americans often face a double marginalization: they are disconnected from their ancestral lands and cultures, yet they are still subject to the stereotypes and prejudices of mainstream society. Orange poignantly addresses this in the novel, showing how characters wrestle with the loss of tradition and the absence of community.