The theme in which is constantly shown throughout the novel is the concept of self identity. Identity is a state of mind in which one identifies his or her character traits in addition to one’s idea of being. Identity indicates one’s mental, emotional and physical image of which they depict themselves to be. It also refers to the construction of individual and society's characteristics by which we are symbolized and recognized as to who we are. The concept of self identity is used in many books and novels in order to tie the reader to the story. This is done in a way that the write creates a character with a loss of self identity that will then allow the reader to relate to. The theme of identity is often expressed in books/novels or basically any other piece of literature so that the reader can intrigue themselves and relate to the characters and their emotions. The novel Cambio de armas has many types of concepts that helped Laura with her battle in determining her identity.
The first concept is the Divided Identity in which she is unable to combine the notion of who she is now along with who she was as described by her Martina, the man and her surroundings. Her divided identity is blocking her from connecting her past and her present. Due to this blocking, she is unable to put a label on some of the items that surround her. She is also unable to give the man a singular name even though he comes in and comforts her at times. By being unable to label herself as one (Laura), she seems unable to label him as well. Sometimes, it is useful in trying to help readers understand that a person's state of mind is full of arduous thoughts about who they are and what they want to be. People can try to modify their identity as much as they want but that can never change. The theme of identity is a very strenuous topic to understand. By understanding the theme of identity, one is able to analyze the complexity of Laura’s situation. Being unable to identify