Throughout the novel

Throughout the novel, the theme of corruption reflects the negative impact that can be brought upon a nation by a select few in power. Trash explores how one person’s – Senator Zapanta’s – actions have the power to effect a whole community. Despite being the Senator and holding assumed ‘power’ over his country, “his main achievement is that he’s made the country’s poor feel worthless and powerless”. Additionally, the Behala police’s dishonesty leads to their people learning “not to trust too far” in regards to those in power. Those in power show how there is little to no consideration for the poor in Behala. Senator Zapanta and the Behala police are prime examples of how disregarding the poor and lack of compassion can negatively impact the lives of many and result in a country that runs off lies and deceit.