Refer to explorations in literature for a complete version of this story. how do the boys’ actions develop a theme in "the harvest"? there’s no purpose behind don trine’s walks or actions according to the boys who watch him. this develops the theme that hard labor robs individuals of their sanity and their humanity. most of the boys believe that don trine is crazy and that his actions are pointless. this develops the theme that, for most people, wealth is the only thing that matters. don trine’s walks are seen by the boys as suspicious; the boys suspect him of stealing or some kind of criminal activity. this develops the theme that young people often distrust the elderly, especially when they should be learning from them. the boys are greedy and plan to rob don trine. this develops the theme that wealth is the only thing that does and should matter to young people.