Look Homeward Angel A Story Of The Buried Life
Look Homeward Angel is a novel written by Thomas Wolfe, published in 1929. It is a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of Eugene Gant, a young man growing up in the small town of Altamont, North Carolina. The novel is divided into three parts, with each part focusing on a different stage in Eugene's life.
Plot Summary
The first part of the novel, "The Book of the Dead," follows Eugene's childhood and his family's struggles. Eugene's father, W.O. Gant, is a stonecutter who is often drunk and abusive. Eugene's mother, Eliza, runs a boardinghouse to support the family. Eugene is a sensitive and intelligent child who dreams of leaving Altamont and becoming a writer. He attends school and works at his father's stonecutting shop. Despite his difficult upbringing, Eugene has a close relationship with his mother and his brother Ben.
In the second part of the novel, "The Book of the Body," Eugene goes to college in the fictional town of Pulpit Hill, which is based on Wolfe's alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Eugene is excited to be away from Altamont and to be studying literature. He becomes friends with a group of writers and intellectuals, including a young woman named Laura James. Eugene falls in love with Laura, but she is already engaged to someone else. Eugene also struggles with his relationship with his father, who comes to visit him at college and humiliates him in front of his friends.
The third part of the novel, "The Book of the World," takes place after Eugene has graduated from college. He moves to New York City to pursue a career as a writer. He becomes involved with a woman named Esther Jack, who is based on Wolfe's real-life lover Aline Bernstein. Eugene also reconnects with Laura James, who is now married and has children. Eugene struggles with his feelings for Laura and his growing disillusionment with the literary world in New York. The novel ends with Eugene leaving New York and returning to Altamont.
Themes
Look Homeward Angel explores several themes, including the tension between the individual and the community, the search for identity, and the struggle between art and life. The novel also deals with issues of family, love, and loss. Eugene's journey from childhood to adulthood is marked by his attempts to find his place in the world and to reconcile his artistic ambitions with the demands of his family and society.
Legacy
Look Homeward Angel is considered a classic of American literature and is often cited as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. The novel's frank portrayal of sexuality and its use of poetic language and vivid imagery were groundbreaking at the time of its publication. The novel also influenced a generation of writers, including Jack Kerouac and Raymond Carver. Wolfe's writing style, which is characterized by its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions of place, has been praised for its ability to capture the essence of the American South.
Conclusion
Look Homeward Angel is a powerful novel that explores the complexities of family, love, and the search for identity. Through Eugene Gant's journey from childhood to adulthood, Thomas Wolfe creates a rich and vivid portrait of small-town life in the American South. The novel's themes and style continue to resonate with readers today, making it a timeless masterpiece of American literature.