The literature of North America
In most cases, themes in literature are usually hidden and varied. Sometimes one may go the entire book without realizing what the author meant. Notably, the majority of literature books have multiple themes. However, to identify a theme in a novel
one needs to summarize the
plot of the story by writing a sentence
that describes exposition, climax, conflict, the falling of action, or the resolution. Additionally, one needs to identify the truth of insight of what learned about the subject. Lastly, one should be in a position to identify the subject of the work. To understand more on themes and their connection of literature I will elaborate more on ” The Great Gatsby ” by Fitzgerald, ” , and ” The Scarlet
The letter ” by Hawthorne. All the two novels have different themes, which are a strong relationship with literature.
The first novel by Fitzgerald reveals a tragic story of Gatsby, who was a self-made billionaire, and his chase for Daisy, a rich young woman. The book is told by Nick Carraway, a graduate from Yale University. He describes the summer events and how he spent two years later, developing the story using flashbacks. The central theme of this novel revolves around the decline of the American dream. Fitzgerald depicts
on the 1920s a period of both decayed moral and social values, that was seen in overarching greed and
the pursuit of pleasure.
Throughout, the novel Fitzgerald has extensively used figurative language to help the reader understand the theme. For instance, the author uses several symbols such as the valley of ashes, represents social and moral decay, which results from the pursuit of wealth. Additionally, the valley of ashes symbolizes the predicament of poor individuals like George Wilson. Moreover, the novel uses allusion to portray historical times. For instance, “one time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil.” The style used in this novel is elegiac and complicated and used metaphors. For instance, there is a metaphorical passage describing the ocean as swelling and sea change, which adds that sense of ceaseless motion.
The second novel on “The Scarlet Letter” by Hawthorne is a historical book that explores revenge, redemption, and guilt in colonial America. In the book, Hawthorne uses supernatural elements with some psychological insight for a certain woman who received a public punishment for adultery. The central theme of this book is identity and society. Hawthorne describes the situation of Hester one the character who was forced by people to wear a badge of shame. Hester’s behavior is premised on the desire to reveal her own identity other than allowing other people to decide for her. According to Hester, running away from society illustrate is an acknowledgment of the powers of society.
Hawthorne also uses both literary devices and figurative language to elaborate more on the theme, and make the story more interesting. The novel’s style is subtle and ornate, which is characterized by intricate, long sentences, and this reveals the path of truth. The use of long sentences containing ideas and clauses communicates to the main idea of the novel. For instance, when the author describes Hester as standing on the scaffold indicates that ” Had there been a Papist among the crowd of Puritans.” Hawthorne’s primary idea while using this clause means Hester resembles Mary, the catholic woman who gave birth to Jesus while still a virgin. The tone of the story can be considered a mixture of sympathy and deep irony directed to protagonists, and this contradicts the hypocrisy character of
both Dimmesdale and Hester in the society.
Summing up, both novels have clearly illustrated the themes of the American dream and identity and society. Today, the American dream theme is still valid and relevant, and this is seen when people try to migrate to the United States to look for better lives. The theme of identity and society also exists today, where some communities believe that individuals who have bad morals are not acknowledged and end up being sent away.