vendredi 2 novembre 2018

By Laura Wallace


There is that one book or story that you read and will never forget. On the other hand, there are books and stories you have encountered that have had zero impact on you. Behind the Blue Curtain is cleverly written by Steven Millhauser. The narrative is based on the journey of a young boy towards enlightenment. It is the decision to go to the theater alone instead of the tradition of being accompanied by his father that will open his eyes forever.

The boy seeks to set own path by going beginning to go the movies alone. This unique path is also exemplified by his hunger for enlightenment and higher knowledge instead of material possessions. In fact, this boy appears to be way ahead of his peers in his actions and the things he seeks.

The narrative style used by the author makes it easy for readers to relate with the experience of this boy. It is told in first person, bringing to live the story as though it is happening now or you are hearing it as a narrative as opposed to reading. The challenges and quest of this main character are easy to relate to. According to the narrator, he feels as though the father is hiding something or being protective. This signifies a boy on a mission.

The author is not straightforward on where the book is set. However, descriptions indicate that the events take place in summer. Most of these events also happen in the theater and in a period somewhere in the twentieth century. While the protagonist is a young boy, nothing in this narrative makes it sound like the flip flop boyhood narratives.

The story takes another trajectory with the appearance of a woman. The description given is that of mirrors and reflections. This is a clever style used by the author to show the similarities in the journeys of the lady and the main character. It forms part of the rich stylistics employed by the author to communicate.

Conflict is excellently displayed in a character who has to choose between living the false bubble or the enlightened reality. If the old is to go, death must occur. This happens as he falls asleep in the office of the theater janitor. Rising up or reborn is signified by his awakening in the form of a dream. This is a resolution of prevailing conflict and justification of enlightenment.

One can read the theme of transformation throughout the story. The writer cleverly uses lighting and the passage through candelabras to represent this journey of transformation. The description of scenes and development of characters are also unmistakable. Readers searching for literary stylistics are rewarded handsomely by the author.

The mode of narration makes the story one of the best you will ever read. The curious nature of this main character also reflects in almost everyone at a certain point in life. This makes for a universal read. With well-developed characters and themes, you have a perfect narrative for both leisure reading as well as academic pursuit.




About the Author:



0 commentaires:

Enregistrer un commentaire

Copyright © writing prompts | Powered by Blogger
Design by N.Design Studio | Blogger Theme by NewBloggerThemes.com