Yes. Virtually anything can be the theme of an essay, as long as you can find enough information about it to write enough paragraphs to be considered an essay.
I would say bothered. She was bothered by what she didn't know and what the school board. She told herself that she shouldn't care and shouldn't let people make her feel bad
"Man" is an indirect object in the sentence. :)
Hope this helps..
-Kiyo
