What is the theme in Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway?

Love is the central theme of Hemingway's story. Thomas Hudson's main problem in life involves love. He loves his sons and his first wife, so the problem is not a lack of love or an inability to feel the emotions of love, but his inability to live with those whom he loves. Thomas blames only himself for this problem. Rather than changing his ways, he changes how he relates to women—he avoids arguments and marriage. Thomas keeps his distance and lives alone in his misery.