The Seventh Most Important Thing

Seven is a major motif that appears throughout the novel. There are seven important items on Mr. Hampton’s list. Barbara is seven years old. Arthur turns fourteen and then twenty-one during the story (both multiples of seven). On the seventh Saturday of probation, Mr. Hampton changes Arthur’s assignment. Mr. Hampton’s final message, “fear not,” is seven letters long. The epilogue takes place seven years after the main story’s end. There are seven continents, which Arthur uses as a metaphor for his ever-shifting life. The man from the museum defines seven as the number of completeness and perfection. Upon hearing this, Arthur makes the connection between the seven important things and the seven things Arthur needed to change or find in his life. Seven symbolizes Arthur’s progression as a character, as he strives for completeness. 

Heaven represents key moments in Arthur’s growth. At the beginning of the story, Arthur isn’t sure he believes heaven exists. He wants to think his dad went to heaven but can’t. Later, when Arthur sees Mr. Hampton’s sculpture for the first time, he doesn’t know what it’s supposed to be and is confused when Mr. Hampton says it is heaven.