What is the theme of the Art of Racing in the Rain?

One way to
think about the theme is that it signifies the contrast between contemplating coming death and
the need to focus on the moment when racing, especially when racing in the rain since that is
particularly dangerous. Enzo believes this focus is vital to racing because a single memory or
speculative thought--like contemplating coming death and transformation in the afterlife--can
distract enough to invite an accident and catastrophe. This is an expression of the "be her
now" philosophy.