Mr. Atkinson's statement in "August Heat" helps to build the theme that fate is determined ahead of time by something beyond ourselves by emphasizing the element of chance and randomness in his decision-making process. By mentioning that he did not see the name anywhere and simply chose the first one that came into his head, Mr. Atkinson suggests that his decision was not logically or consciously determined. Instead, it implies that there is an external force at play, guiding his actions and influencing his choices. This idea aligns with the theme of predestined fate, as it suggests that Mr. Atkinson's decision was not truly within his control and was instead predetermined by forces beyond his understanding.
