What is the central theme in The Palace Thief?

The title story of The Palace Thief, Ethan Canin’s collection of four novellas, explores several themes. Mr. Hundert, the protagonist, is a teacher of ancient history at an elite Virginia private school. The story’s key theme centers around his attempts to live by his principles and subsequent guilt over his moral failings.

The key relationship of the story that demonstrates is that of Mr. Hundert and his student Sedgewick Bell, the son of a prominent U.S. senator. Hundert reflects on his career, haunted by his dealings with this pupil. A theme this relationship illustrates is the role of a teacher. Hundert sees himself as not just an academic leader but also a moral guide, seeking to mold the characters of the young men he teaches. This role is questioned by Bell’s father who challenges Hundert, saying, “You will not mold him. I will mold him. You will merely teach him” (164).

Hundert’s relationship with his problem student also magnifies the theme of comprising principles in the face of power. The teacher recounts a series of moral failings with Sedgewick Bell: raising his grade undeservedly, overlooking his cheating in an academic contest, and again failing to report the man’s cheating years later in another academic contest. Hundert regrets that he has lost all opportunity to mold his student’s moral character because of his own moral corruption.