Look Homeward Angel Essay, Research Paper

Look Homeward, Angel Abridged

If there were of all time a theoretical account for coming of age novels, Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe, would be perfect. The narrative of Eugene Gant is alone and animating. The reader s attending is caught from the beginning and hooked until the terminal. In reading the abridged version, it is easy to follow the life of immature Eugene, without a batch of bunk or alteration of focal point. The chief focal point is clearly the major occurrences in Eugene s life, non the child inside informations. The abridged version provides enjoyment for those who would non pick up the novel due to its length. In reading the shortened transcript, nevertheless, several inquiries are raised. Plot drumhead, picks of transitions, and efficient development are all things to look at when foreshortening such a well-respected work. While there is still work to be done on this novel, it can be considered believable and coherent. Possibly the thoughts and subjects that teach the reader good life lessons, are what make the novel the great work that it is.

In order to do the abridged version of Look Homeward, Angel more coherent and believable, there is a demand for secret plan sum-up. The secret plan sum-up provided between the first two subdivisions were helpful, but could be a small more good developed. It is ill-defined how Eliza and W.O leap from talking concern to acquiring married. A few more sentences would make a more stable nexus between the transitions and let it to flux smoother. Between pages 29 and 39, the sum-up may desire to include a little more about Eugene s early life. The one provided was really clear, but a small vague. It leaves the reader inquiring if the Equus caballus stepping on Eugene s face is the lone important go oning in his infant old ages. Another topographic point where more account would be helpful is between pages 56 and 70. It was non mentioned why W.O. went to California. Though it may non be of import, it would fulfill wonder. The ground may besides add to W.O. s early character. There is one peculiar topographic point where secret plan sum-up is severely needed. A helpful nexus between pages 107 and 126 would do the first portion of the novel a spot more complete. This is a confusing leap. It goes from Helen and Eliza combat over Eugene s good being to Eugene s going. What happens in between may non be important adequate to include all 19 pages, but the two state of affairss need a nexus or some account in between. The center to the terminal of the abridged novel is really consistent and believable without secret plan sum-up. The ground for this could be because there are fewer transitions dropped. The reading flows easy one time past the first portion of the novel and develops good.

When foreshortening Look Homeward, Angel, secret plan sum-up is non the lone facet that one should see. Choosing which sections to drop can be a hard undertaking. As the abridged version bases, it is good, but there are a twosome of topographic points that are questionable. Pages 158-160 were really perplexing. It raised several inquiries because it was unlike the other subdivisions read. If Eugene s memories and likes were so easy to drop earlier, why are they of import now? The transition was confounding when read in sequence with the other transitions. Another questionable subdivision is pages 254-256. Eugene s love of reading has non been accentuated before, why now? On the other manus, the pas

sages of love, sex and racism should decidedly be kept. They draw the reader into the clip period and do the novel more realistic. Nothing more should be dropped. The novel has background, efficaciously portrays the clip period it was written in and state a fantastic narrative.

The development of the narrative is really easy to follow in the abridged novel. It merely tells the narrative of Eugene Gant from get downing to stop. The journey through Eugene s adolescence needs the item included to do it complete. The inside informations made the fresh less dry and more interesting. One character missing development is Steve. It is ill-defined whether or non he is of import, but he is one of the household and may necessitate a small more word picture. In order to go more incorporate secret plan sum-up is needed. With secret plan sum-up, the novel will look more complete.

There are several of import thoughts that a reader can come away with after reading Look Homeward, Angel. The first subject that runs through the full novel is the importance of household. Through the Gant household the reader learns that no affair how bad a state of affairs may be, household love is strong and will last. This can be seen in two ways. One from W.O. and Eliza s relationship, despite his alcohol addiction she stood by him and took attention of him. The other grounds through the kids, particularly Helen and Eugene. No affair how injury they got, they ever loved and respected Eliza and W.O.. The 2nd of import lesson is that of independency. In Eugene s conversation with Ben s shade, the reader learns, from dead Ben, that it is all right to be entirely and make your ain thing. Eugene has eventually realized that even though his household will ever be at that place, he can be an independent adult male. Possibly the most singular experiencing one comes off with after reading Look Homeward, Angel, is that of hope. The narrative proves that one can lift above adversity and outlooks and achieve their ain dreams. Eugene does non see his male parent s alcohol addiction as a crutch to tilt on, but as a illness that he must seek to avoid acquiring. He knows it is non familial and wants to be better. At the same clip, while cognizing he can break himself, Eugene, does non turn his dorsum on his household. He ne’er forgets where he comes from, one time he gets success. There is much to be learned from Eugene Gant and the abridged novel does an effectual occupation of acquiring the chief points across.

It is truly easy to see why so many readers have delighted in this book for many old ages. With the impairment of households on the rise, this fresh gives hope that household is still an of import establishment. The sum of item Wolfe includes is enormous and allows the reader to go apart of the narrative. One really begins to care what happens to W.O. and Eliza, even after the adversity they may hold brought upon their kids. There is no uncertainty that this work should be shared with pupils before college. Look Homeward, Angel should be as widely read as Huck Finn and Shakespeare.

Overall, the abridged version of Look Homeward, Angel is consistent and believable. With the development of secret plan sum-ups and carefully taking of transitions, it could decidedly go apart of reading lists for high school pupils. The novel non merely exposes pupils to wonderful authorship, but gives everyone hope that wining is non every bit hard as it may look.