Freedom is the central theme, which is heavily telegraphed by the book’s title. Most characters in the novel claim to desire freedom: the ability to pursue one’s desires and agenda. At Thanksgiving dinner, Joey asks: “Isn’t that what freedom is for? The right to think whatever you want?” (267). Joey’s question raises the additional question of definitions, which is what Franzen is most interested in exploring. These questions include: If Joey is incorrect, what is freedom? What does it mean to be too free, or not free enough? Joey faces these questions soon after arriving at college: “Almost everybody in his dorm communicated with their parents daily, if not hourly […] it also touched off something like a pain. He'd asked for his freedom, they'd granted it, and he couldn't go back now” (241).

Characters like Richard, Joey, and Patty spend much of the story doing whatever they want, indulging their appetites, making others suffer as a result, and then regretting their newfound freedom. The consequences of misusing freedom are more acute and impactful in the story than the struggle to gain the freedom in the first place.

As soon as each character gains what they would have considered their freedom, they grow unhappier and more dissatisfied with their lives.