"Hopscotch" embodies the fragmentation of modern life through its non-linear structure and stream-of-consciousness prose. Horacio's journey, both physical and emotional, reflects the difficulty of finding meaning and connection in a world seemingly devoid of inherent order. He seeks solace in art, philosophy, and love, but ultimately finds himself caught in a cycle of searching and disillusionment.

Horacio's relationship with La Maga is passionate, chaotic, and ultimately tragic. Their love story is a meditation on the complexities of human connection, the elusiveness of happiness, and the enduring power of grief. La Maga, with her childlike innocence and enigmatic nature, represents a lost ideal for Horacio, and her absence haunts him throughout the novel.

Cortázar famously encourages readers to engage with "Hopscotch" in multiple ways. The novel can be read linearly, or the reader can choose to "hopscotch" through chapters as directed by the author. This innovative structure emphasizes the role of the reader in constructing meaning and challenges traditional notions of narrative and authorial control.