Memories, too, are painful
Since the beginning of human existence, communication has been the central focus on which our lives have been based, from the first existing cave men to the countless attempts made by NASA to communicate with the universe. The central theme of the novel "The Sound of One Hand Clapping" by Richard Flanagan lies within its title, as it highlights the struggle for communication between a migrant father and his estranged daughter, after the sudden disappearance of her mother. To clap with one hand metaphorically, represents disconnection as they both experience a breakdown in not only communication, but also friendship and trust. "The Sound of One Hand Clapping" is set primarily in a post World War II hydro-electric construction camp situated deep in Tasmania wood-land, flashing back to war-time Slovenia and forward to modern day Australia. The harsh reality of the novel begins with Maria Buloh venturing out into a blizzard, leaving her husband Bojan and daughter Sonya of three years, never to return. The reader follows both Bojan and Sonya's individual struggles to mak
Returning once more to her estranged father after-thirty five years, she attempts to mend her "shattered teapot". Echoes of their early history together resound, unsolved tensions lurk behind every action. As well as remembering his often violent behaviour, she discovers the truth behind her mother's disappearance. "They fuck you! They fuck you!"(p272) Bojan illustrates. Memories, painful and vivid, too great in her mind as these ghosts haunted her with the kiss of death which resulted in the disappearance of her mother Maria Buloh.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 929
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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