Coming-Of-Age, Family Drama
The Virgin Suicides is almost an anti-coming-of-age novel. While the narrators grow up around the events of the novel, which take place during their adolescence, the Lisbon sisters don't grow up; they cut off their own lives just at the point when they become aware of their emerging sexuality and adulthood. We see the boys struggle with coming to terms with the suicides as they mature themselves. These experiences have a profound impact on them even as adults.
The novel's a family drama as well. We're meant to wonder about what were the family dynamics that may have driven the girls to suicide. We see Mrs. Lisbon's oppressive parenting, her husband's passivity, and the family's reaction to the first suicide—to retreat into depression and isolation.