This picture shows how well and how long Mr. Yanakakis, Eli's father, planned

the compound.  He stock-piled food, clothes, medical supplies and anything his family might

need for the next fifteen years.  He even planned flaws and things that would go wrong to see

how his family would react. But, even the best laid plans can go wrong.

This picture represents how Eli and his siblings felt trapped

in the compound. His dad was keeping them there like wild

animals in cages.

This picture shows the life that Eli, Lexie, and Terese were missing and really

wanted to go back to. This was normal for them and the Compound took a lot

of adjusting.

Main Theme: Secrets

Secrets are everywhere.  Hiding in places you would not expect. Lurking in dark corners that you are loath to explore.  In Compound, Eli and Mr. Yanakakis both keep major secrets that eat away their souls.

Eli knows that his Dad is carrying many secrets.  He has figured out that the compound does in fact have Internet connection and that his father has been keeping this secret from him.When he confronts his dad, his dad lies saying,"It was sporadic. Limited. Somedays it worked, some days it didn't" (85).  When in reality Mr. Yanakakis could turn the Internet on and off at will, whenever he wanted.  Eli realized that if his dad was so good at lying and keeping secrets he must be have had practice.

Eli secret is emotional and he doesn't like to think about it.  Eli thinks that it is his fault that Eddy didn't make it to the Compound.  He thinks it is his fault that Eddy is dead. He thinks it is his fault but he is wrong. Eli had tempted Eddy into sneaking back to the cabin to see a nonexistent surprise and before Eddy and Gram had got back, Eli and the rest of the family were gone. No one knew why Eddy had gone back to the cabin but Eli knew.  This secret has been hidden for so long.  To hide himself from his family, he grows his hair long so he can disappear behide his "shield". Eli keeps this secret for most of the book.

Main Theme: Guilt

One of the main themes in Compound is guilt.  Eli feels guilt often.  Guilt is felt when he thinks about how his twin brother Eddy didn't make it to the compound before the hatch was closed and locked.  Eli's family had been camping and when they got back in the RV Eddy started wheezing.  Terese admited to bringing her kitten; Eddy was allergic to it.  Their grandmother offered to go back to their house and get his allergy medicine.  Earlier that day, their father told them that tomorrow he would flip a coin to see which boy would get a ride in his new airplane first.  Eli wanted to be the one to go first so that night he said to Eddy, "Hey Eddy. I heard Dad and Gram talking.  They said they have another surprise back at the cabin for us.  What do you think it is?" (175). Eli knew Eddy loved surprises. Eddy snuck out to the car and hitched a ride back to the cabin where they planned to stay over night.  Then everything went wrong. Eli's dad screaming at them to go when they woke up, pushing them into the compound. And Eddy...Eli never saw him again.

Another time Eli feels guilt is on his birthday.  He is in a bad mood and just wants to be left alone.  When he goes in the movie room to wtch a DVD, Lexie is already there, watching her own DVD. Eli pulls her DVD out of the player and wrestles her out of the room saying,"It's my birthday...so why don't you watch this in your room?" (33).  Later he thought about his outburst and realized he was wrong.  He felt guilty about being mean to Lexie because he knew that all of them were feeling the loss of Eddy.  After all,it had been Eddy's birthday too.

Compound

"Eli and his family have lived in the underground Compound for six years. The world they knew is gone, and they've become accustomed to their new life.  Accustomed, but not happy. For Eli, no amount of luxury con stifle the dull routine of living in the same place, with only his two sisters, can only his father and mother, doing the same thing day after day after day. As problems with their carefully planned existence threaten to destroy their sanctuary-and their sanity-Eli can't help but wonder if he'd rather take his chances outside.  Eli's father built the Compound to keep them safe.  But are they safe ------ or sorry?" (S. A. Bodeen backcover)