No Country for Old Men - McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy’s novel, No Country for Old Men, begins with the unlikeable protagonist, Llewellyn Moss, who stumbles upon a drug deal gone awry—many corpses and over two million dollars in cash. Instead of removing himself from the situation entirely, Moss takes the cash, as well as a tracking device (unknowingly), for his own. His theft predetermines his fate on the run; a psychopathic killer, Anton Chigurh, hunts Moss throughout the entire novel. In the meantime, McCarthy includes monologues and nostalgic thoughts of the Sheriff, Ed Tom Bell, an aging law enforcer about to retire. Bell is unable to keep up with the uncontrollable situation which seems to be the deciding factor regarding his retirement. In his novel, McCarthy demonstrates the evil qualities of human beings; in addition, the choices that people make ultimately lead to their own demise.

The opening scene of the novel first conveys the fate of beings overcome by evil qualities—Mexicans involved with massive drug deals who are all killed. Moss finds the massacre and is faced with the choice of either leaving or succumbing to his selfish demeanor. When he takes the money for his own, the money indicates the path that he has chosen and he will not be able to deviate from that path. The money symbolizes the sin that all human possess in that tragedy continuously surrounds the money. All of the individuals involved in the scandals have chosen the wrong path and are constantly drawn back to the origin of their wrongdoing. This parallels with the thought process of Sheriff Ed Tom Bell. All of the monologues located at the beginning of the chapters maintain a sense of nostalgia and his longing for the past. The Sheriff wishes to revisit the past because he is aging, about to retire, and cannot keep up with the level of crime within the county. Meanwhile, the crime-doers have no knowledge of how to live normally; instead, they only know the life of crime.

Chirgurh could be a representation of death, which is proven since he kills every person that crosses his path, regardless of who they are or what they have done. Since Chigurh becomes aware of Moss’ wrongdoing, he chases him throughout the entire novel until he is killed; then he moves on to murder his young wife. Chigurh, Death, is also proiven to be emotionally detached from society; Chigurh has no acquaintances or allies and must work alone. The scene when Chigurh confronts Carla Jean justifies his detachment; he does not give her a chance to live because of attraction or emotion, but through a coin toss, which she loses. Therefore, he does not care about the past, present, or future; whenever someone meets him, chances of an extended lifespan are limited. Since many different people are killed, even some that took no part in the drug and wealth scandal, McCarthy discusses that death can come at any moment and, therefore, tells the reader that wasting life, especially on crime, is not beneficial.

As Moss comes to realize that Chigurh will continue chasing him until death, he reverts back to his wrongdoings to try to stay alive, including lying and putting loved ones in harm’s way. Eventually, Moss fully understands the danger that he is in resulting from the stolen money and tries to make arrangements to hand it over. In other words, Moss regrets his wrongdoings and makes an attempt to deviate from his predetermined path. Unfortunately, he is also killed by another party seeking the stolen money. McCarthy could imply that money does not necessarily equate with happiness.

Overall, McCarthy’s novel focuses mostly on the negative aspects that, often times, overpower the positive. Although the novel focuses on the consequences of crime, McCarthy also shouts out to the onlooker because, more often than not, more onlookers get injured than those involved. He proves that death can come at any time to any individual, regardless of their past or present.

Housekeeping - Robinson

Marilynne Robinson’s novel, Housekeeping, is a coming of age story featuring two sisters who must deal with an unconventional lifestyle as they grow. Throughout the entire novel, the sisters lack a loving household and family, specifically the love and comfort of a mother when they need her the most. While living with eccentric relatives, the girls also face isolation from society; they only have each other for a time. In her novel, Robinson exaggerates the importance of a stable and loving family life and the impact it has on the growing generations. At the same time, she incorporates housekeeping in both a literal a figurative manner; literally, the importance of keeping a clean a sanitary household, and figuratively, the importance of keeping a more spiritual household when dealing with tough situations.

               

Growing up, Ruth and Lucille have encountered many guardians: first their mother, then their grandmother, their grandmother’s sisters-in-law, and finally, their eccentric, isolated Aunt Sylvie. Through this rapid and constant lifestyle change, the girls have never experienced a completely stable lifestyle—each guardian acts differently toward them and requires them to perform different duties. Therefore, the sisters could only seek consolation in each other because they understood how the other was feeling. When the final guardian, Aunt Sylvie, came to the house, the girls noticed both her eccentric demeanor and her isolation from others. Sylvie was constantly doing housework to give the girls a clean environment to grow up in, and she was always worried about their health. However, she did not always seem to notice how the girls were affected by her example---isolation. She was not aware that the girls were missing school because they felt they did not fit in. Therefore, Robinson proves that the instability of the girls’ childhood has affected their place in society by separating them from others.

               

As the girls grow older, Ruth becomes closer with Aunt Sylvie while Lucille begins to notice their detachment from society. Lucille reaches a point where she can no longer stand the instability and derangement of her family and decides to move in with her teacher and make friends at school. After her leaving, Ruth is left with no consolation except her own thoughts and her housekeeping. Although the house does not necessarily represent a home, she will always have someplace to turn to: Aunt Sylvie, especially since they are much more alike. However eccentric Aunt Sylvie may be, she has been the most stable figure in her life and comes to regard her as her family, her comfort zone. Through the housekeeping, Ruth is able to understand the significance of family, regardless of their actions or thoughts or placement in society. Lucille, on the other hand, cannot accept the true meaning of family and decides to leave to conform to her specified role in society.

               

In her novel Housekeeping, Robinson explains the importance of both family as well as the stability of a family, however unorthodox it may be. After all, family is an important part of life because they are the only people that someone should be able to truly love, care for, trust, and seek consolation in while looking past their flaws. The girls’ coming of age parallels with them finding the meaning of family. Ruth is able to understand and finally accept her place in both her family and society; her commitment to her family life is justified when she runs away with Aunt Sylvie at the end of the novel and leaves their burning house, and Lucille, in the past. Lucille, on the other hand, is not able to accept her place in her eccentric, alienated family and chooses to leave her family behind. In the end, Lucille is the one who is alone because she has no family to return to.

Ceremony - Silko

Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel Ceremony focuses on a Native American boy, Tayo, who is returning home after fighting in World War II. It is clear that he is mentally ill from his past experiences and he must find a way to regain his normal life. While his friends find consolation in alcohol, Tayo journeys through the lives of his people and his own past, which eventually brings him back to normality. Throughout the novel, Silko introduces a few different themes, including the clash of the cultures and storytelling. She continuously mentions the differences between the white people and the Native American culture; at the same time, Silko tries to prove that the Native Americans are superior to the white race. She could also try to make her point more clear through the idea of storytelling, which is only done by the Native Americans in the novel.

                                                                                                                   

Throughout the novel, Silko comments on the fact that the white race is inherently evil through certain characters as well as the general actions of the white people. Although she tries to prove a legitimate point, or even fight for her own race and rights, her arguments are not strong. In other words, she tries to fight racism with racism, which defeats the entire purpose of the argument. Her argument is enforced by the introduction, and isolation, or biracial characters, such as Tayo. These are the characters that are discriminated against the most because they are mixed with white, or evil. In other words, they are a disgrace to their own community because of their parents’ faults, and they are not accepted elsewhere because of their skin tone.

At one point in the novel, one of the stories says that the Native American people created the white people, but it is never clear why they decided to create white people in the first place. In the end, the Native Americans created racism because only the white people, according to the story, were separated from the other cultures. In addition, Silko over generalizes when she speaks about the evil qualities of the white race; in other words, she applies the evil qualities that a handful of white people possess to the entire population. This concept could also be applied to the biracial characters as well; these characters are accused of the same qualities and actions as the white people simply because they have white in them. This does not necessarily mean that they possess those same qualities. Over-generalizing is a flaw in itself; therefore, the white race is not the only race that is flawed.

Silko also tries to prove the idea that the white race is evil through the references to story-telling. According to the novel, the Native Americans’ use of story-telling is an extremely old tradition that has not been forgotten. At one point in the novel, Silko mentions the various races that roamed the earth before the creation of the white race; the list included almost every culture and skin color. Subtly, Silko tries to hint that the white race is not superior because of their lack of creative ability or lack of tradition. Through this use of story-telling, combined with witchery, the Native Americans created the white race, which then backfired. Since the white race eventually overtook the other, more traditional, races, this implies that the white race is, in fact, superior because they had the organization, control and motivation to take control. This implies that the other races lack those same qualities and, therefore, these races are not as powerful; if they were superior, they would have been able to control and contain the race that they created. However, Silko’s reference to story-telling is a reference to tradition and, at the same time, another attack at the white race. This argument is one of the only effective arguments because it is true; whites are more individualistic and willing to sacrifice tradition for personal gain. Meanwhile, other cultures, such as the Native Americans, never lose track of their roots.

Overall, Silko’s method to try to undermine the white race was not effective; instead, it was hypocritical which undermines her own credibility. Fighting racism with more racism defeats the entire purpose of the argument. At the same time, Silko’s arguments against the white race imply hindrances within her own race. However, Silko’s argument against the tradition, or lack thereof, of the white race is effective because it remains true as well as constant throughout time. Basically, Ceremony provides some positive and negative qualities about different races, but the arguments are not as effective, especially for a reader who is white.

East Of Eden - Steinbeck

In John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, a symbolic recurrence is a large inheritance and wealth. In each case, however, the money is not gained through honorable actions, such as deceit, theft, and prostitution. The wealth passed down symbolizes original sin, a type of evil that is passed down to each offspring through the generations. In addition, the large inheritances are the core of the battle between good and evil. Throughout the novel, the same wealth is passed down through three generations, and each generation faces similar conflicts.

               

The wealth originates with Cyrus Trask, Adam and Charles Trask’s father. Throughout his career in the army, he dishonorably gains over $100,000 which is divided amongst his two sons. After his death, the sons discover their inheritance, but only Adam seriously questions where the money actually came from. Both of the sons do take their own share, which foreshadows their tainted lifestyle. However, Adam’s questioning could also mean that he is aware of the choice that all men face—a good life versus a bad life. Unfortunately, he chooses wrong and must suffer through a loveless marriage and miss the growth of his twin sons. In addition, Cyrus Trask favors Adam over Charles would also signifies that Adam must live with a higher influence of evil despite his knowledge of the choice. Although Charles acts as an evil character, he is not influenced by his father’s taint and filth, so it is easier for him to move on and accumulate his own fortune on the ranch until he died suddenly at a younger age. The concept of original sin is passed down through the generations through both sons because each son chooses to accept the tainted wealth which, therefore, taints their own lifestyle.

               

The wealth continues to be passed down after Charles’ death; he leaves his own fortune to Adam and his wife, Cathy. Adam must face the choice between good and evil once more, and he tries to overcome evil by spending his entire share on a refrigeration company, which ultimately fails. He makes it clear, however, that he does not make the investment to make a profit; instead, he only tries to get rid of the inheritance. In addition, Adam does not try to steal Cathy’s share of the inheritance, even though they are separated and he does not understand why Charles has left half of his wealth to her. By choosing to confront Cathy about her inheritance, he is overcoming the temptation of evil. While Adam tries to rid himself of the burden of the inheritance, Cathy takes advantage of an arisen opportunity. Beginning with her inheritance, she takes over a “bad house” and creates her own fortune. She must constantly live with the burden of sin, although she tried to start her life anew. Cathy is an example of a character that chooses to face the choice between good and evil multiple times, but consistently chooses to endure the burden of sin through her evil actions. Therefore, the original sin continues to be passed through the generations because Cathy chooses to embrace and endure it rather than overcome it.

               

Before Cathy commits suicide, she writes a short will leaving everything she owns to her son Aron. The reasoning why she leaves her possessions to Aron is hazy because she only had multiple interactions with her son Cal; however, Cal reminded her of Charles who seemed to frighten her. She only had one interaction with Aron, but Steinbeck does not include what happened in that meeting. Her will is actually ironic because Cal is the son who succumbs to the temptations of evil. Also, Cal tries to restore the wealth that his father lost in his refrigeration endeavor; in other words, he tries to restore the original sin that Adam tries to rid himself of. Aron, on the other hand, has an ambition to better his lifestyle, until he falls into the same situation as his father: he falls in love with a girl who does not love him in return and wishes to stage his life around her ideas and wishes. Since Cathy leaves all of her fortune (over $100,000) to only Aron, he is the only one that is affected by original sin. Unfortunately, the burden is too great for him to bear so he enlists into the army, trying to avoid the choice entirely, where he is ultimately killed. Meanwhile, Cal is not affected in any way by the original sin because none of Cathy’s wealth is left to him; in addition, Cal burned the money that he earned for his father which was meant to restore his lost wealth, or sin. Therefore, Cal is given the opportunity to actually choose between good and evil because he is not affected by original sin, which differs greatly from evil actions. Adam’s final blessing to Cal before he dies is the word timshel which means “thou mayest.” In other words, Adam tells his son that he has a choice, and his life will be determined by only his decisions and actions as opposed to fate.

               

The recurrence of inheritance and tainted wealth throughout John Steinbeck’s East of Eden represents the concept of original sin which is passed down through the generations. A significant amount of money, first gained (not earned) by Cyrus Trask, continues to be passed down through the family. Each person is affected by original sin, except Cal, and must suffer through a life controlled and determined by fate and evil. Although some members try to overcome evil, others embrace it and make (not earn) their own fortune to be passed down. Since Cal is the only family member that is not affected by original sin, he has the opportunity to choose his own path, whether it be good or evil, but he is free to make his own choice. All in all, original sin equates to fate: it cannot be overpowered regardless of the countless attempts to gain free will.

To Make My Bread - Grace Lumpkin

Grace Lumpkin’s To Make My Bread is the story of the McClure family, and other neighboring families living in the Appalachian region, and their journey searching for a better life. They move from the mountains to an urban setting in Leesville hoping to improve their economic situation; instead, their lifestyle only worsens under the conditions of the Company and the mill. The mill workers begin a strike against the mill, and Grace Lumpkin personifies the mill to be perceived as another character in the plot. The central theme of the novel is the rise of the working class, especially the working class women.

Once the strike went underway, the mill was portrayed as a character instead of a building. The mill possessed a power greater than any single man, and it was the mill workers’ job to fight against that power. The effect of the strike had a significant impact on the mill, “for the mill was now roused like a beast that has been disturbed in its pleasant slumber, and comes lumbering forth to kill or maim what has disturbed it” (354). This description suggests that the owners of the mill did not foresee any type of revolution because the mill workers remained silent. Now that the working class is actually fighting for their rights, as opposed to accepting their extremely low position, the owners, the militia, and the law must do whatever they deem necessary to maintain order. By portrayed the mill as an antagonist, Lumpkin effectively exaggerates the power that the mill has over its workers.

One of the central themes of To Make My Bread is the rise of working class women. The women in the novel are admirable in the sense that they can handle more burdens than the men, including having and raising children, working in the mill to provide for their families, while also maintaining the traditional feminine role by cooking and cleaning. Emma McClure is the first generation of rising females. When her family moves to the city, she must first suffer the transition from rural to urban life. However, instead of being contented with her situation, she tries to better her chances of improving the lifestyle of her and her family. Emma was considerate when it came time for her and Ora, her sister-in-law who was with child, to choose shifts at the mill, “It was the least Emma could do to take the burden of the heavy night work, with only snatches of sleep in the day” (208). Unfortunately, Emma soon becomes ill and can no longer work in the mill. At this point, more responsibility is given to her daughter, Bonnie.

Bonnie is the most important woman during the strike. Through her songs, she rallies the mill workers and encourages them to unite. In addition, Bonnie worked with the black inhabitants because she honestly viewed them as equal beings. Although her efforts were looked down upon by the people of the mill, her efforts strengthened the position of the working class because when a truck came to pick up blacks to replace the white workers at the mill, very few obliged. Through Bonnie, Lumpkin brings together the entire working class; it was a strong-willed woman that connected the two races together and encourages a hopeful end. However, Bonnie is shot and dies just before the workers are about to picket the mill. Since both of the strong women die, Lumpkin could be suggesting that the plight of women is not yet complete. Although both of these women acted admirably and signified both the strength and rise of women, their deaths portray the failure of their execution and women still have much to work for. In addition, Lumpkin suggests that every action has its consequences, especially for the lower working class. Bonnie’s death also signifies the long way that the mill workers must travel in order to gain the better conditions they have been fighting for. 

All in all, Grace Lumpkin’s To Make My Bread portrays the differences between classes and also portrays the plight of women. During the strike, the wealthy people were actually acting cowardly because they were always armed; they consistently attacked the mill workers when they were unarmed and defenseless. However, the mill workers refused to cave in to their power; they knew their actions were accompanied by consequences, and they were willing to accept their terms. This fact alone proves that the lower class was stronger and more courageous than the upper class cowards. In addition, Lumpkin includes two women as strong-willed workers who dealt with many burdens concerning both themselves and their families. Each women rose to accept the most responsibility. Unfortunately, the deaths of these women represent the long fight that women must fight in order to gain the equality they deserve. After all, To Make My Bread suggests that women must carry more burdens and must work harder than men.