Themes and message

Sacrifice and control

The theme of sacrifice and control is explored by Helen Dunmore in the short story “Ice Cream”. This theme is illustrated by Clara and the sacrifices she had to make to become a famous model. 

One of the biggest sacrifices Clara had to make was losing weight. From being what she believes to be “as wide and sleek as a whale” (p. 84, ll. 13-14), Clara has become a “Venus” (p. 84, l. 31), a famous model at the top of her career. Although the story is not explicit when it comes to how Clara lost weight, there are several hints that suggest she did it through extreme dieting, with Elise’s help.

The theme of sacrifice becomes more obvious when Clara has to refrain from eating ice cream. The ice cream becomes symbolic of the many sacrifices Clara was forced to make, as well as of the large amount of self-restraint Clara has had since her teenage years....

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