What is the theme in The Cage by Ruth Minsky Sender?

The will to survive is another theme in the story. Survival was at the forefront of many aspects of the story. Riva told of her own desire to survive but also told about others who endured a great many hardships and brutal situations in order to survive. One example of this will to survive was seen in the sisters who were caught stealing. These girls were so anxious to survive that they stole - and apparent ate - potato peels from the kitchen trash. For this "crime" they were punished severely and they must have known this ahead of time. Riva and others did what they had to do in an effort to survive.