* Poverty and Racial Injustice: The Lloyd family faces immense poverty, compounded by the pervasive racism of the era. They struggle to survive, facing hunger, lack of access to education, and constant threat of discrimination. This is illustrated through events like the father's arrest for stealing food, and the family's difficulty finding work.
* Family Loyalty and Resilience: Despite hardships, the Lloyd family demonstrates unwavering loyalty and resilience. They support each other through difficult times, showing love and understanding. This is evident in the mother's strength, the children's unwavering faith, and the father's ultimate sacrifice.
* The Power of Education: Education becomes a symbol of hope for the family, particularly for the son, David. He yearns to learn and see beyond the limitations imposed by their circumstances. However, the racist system denies him access to proper schooling, further highlighting the conflict.
* The Search for Identity and Belonging: The novel explores the theme of searching for identity and belonging. The father's absence creates a void that David tries to fill through understanding his heritage and finding his place in the world.
* The Conflict with the "Sounder": The dog, Sounder, represents the family's connection to nature and their survival instincts. He becomes a symbol of their resilience and the struggle against societal forces that threaten their way of life. His disappearance, mirroring the father's imprisonment, symbolizes the loss and longing for connection.
Ultimately, the conflict in "Sounder" highlights the struggle for dignity, justice, and hope in a system riddled with inequality and oppression. The family's enduring love and resilience in the face of adversity provide a message of strength and the enduring power of the human spirit.