Together they even recall their own high school memories. Women's relationships with each other are important because they help each woman relate to one another. Discussing problems with another woman allows for closeness and for a deep relationship to occur. .
As noted by Paul Gray, .
Barbara Kingsolver's novel contains a theme of eco-feminism; a kind, gentle type of writing with women relying on themselves and one another, trying to save their neighborhoods, cities, or the planet from any destruction brought on by the white men of the society (1). .
These women are strong and independent, and will not allow the men to control the town where most people have spent their entire lives. The small desert town of Grace, Arizona, is the perfect setting for this eco-feministic novel. With the orchards and river at risk because of the Black Mountain Mining Company, Codi Noline jumps in as the heroine who came to save her native soil. Along with the sewing circle, Codi sets out to relieve her town of danger from the large company that does not show an interest in saving the orchards and river. For instance, the sewing circle even makes handmade peacock piñatas to raise money for their fight against the Black Mountain Mining Company. Codi accompanies Emelina and the sewing circle to Tucson, where they sell the piñatas. They are prepared to work against the big mining company. Her intent was not to save her town; it was almost an accident. Eco-feminism is important to the women of the sewing circle, and Codi in particular. Her hometown needs to rid itself of the threat of extinction by Black Mountain Mining Company, and Codi Noline is not one to sit back and watch such a thing happen. The sewing circle of Grace, Arizona is not about to let one big mining company ruin what has been theirs for so long.
Another practical theme of Animal Dreams is coming home. As stated by Terry Andrews, the general theme of Animal Dreams is coming home, not only physically, but mentally as the characters must face tribulations of their past (1).
