What are the motifs in The Great Santini by Pat Conroy?

Manhood is a major, and underlying idea throughout the course of the novel, "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy. Manhood consists of acceptable and admirable behavior and conduct as a member of the male species. It touches upon everything from manners to culture to emotion to faith to physical prowess -all in the idea of "what it means to be a man." All subjects are addressed in the novel, especially with respect to Bull and Ben.