The narrative in The Lovely Bones highlights a poignant theme: Susie Salmon shouldn't be narrating the fragments of her life from the afterlife. She should still be living it. However, Mr. Harvey's brutal act of raping and murdering this innocent girl not only cuts her life short but also robs her of her innocence, sending her to heaven before her time.

Susie's murder impacts more than just her; it distorts her family beyond recognition. Lindsey, her sister, becomes alienated from her friends. Buckley retreats, building forts to hide away. The tragedy creates a divide between Susie's parents, pushing her mother to seek comfort with another man and leading her father to pursue justice alone at night, which results in an accidental injury. Buckley's anger over his father's inability to move on from Susie's death contributes to his father's heart attack.

Ruth Connors' character symbolizes how even brief encounters with real violence can transform lives. When Susie's soul inadvertently touches Ruth as it ascends to heaven, this brief moment deeply impacts Ruth. She becomes obsessed with Susie and gains an acute awareness of the violence that women face worldwide. Ruth wanders the streets of New York, absorbing and honoring their pain. Eventually, she and Susie swap bodies, causing Ruth to visit heaven prematurely because of this singular moment.

Violence also affects those who are not sympathetic characters. Mr. Harvey is twisted by the pain he has suffered. His traumatic family background and the loss of his mother have led him to reject both womanhood and childhood.