An Analysis of Central Themes
James Agee was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1909, the son of a postal worker who was killed in an automobile accident. The loss of his father marked James Agee both short term and long term(James Agee p.30). Thirty years later it would form the basis of the novel which is the cornerstone of his fame (A DEATH IN THE FAMILY). In 1916 Agee was sent to an Episcopal boarding school in the Appalachians, Saint Andrews Seminary. The years spent in this monastic environment would shape and scar Agee for the rest of his days. Tormented by his sense of isolation and abandonment by his mother, he, nevertheless, found comfort in learning, and he formed his closest and most enduring friendship with his mentor, Father Flye, who became a surrogate parent, confidant, and spiritual inspiration for the rest of Agee's life(Larsen 35). James Agee acknowledged the restless journey his biography would encompass. Poet, novelist, journalist, film critic, and social activist, Agee would lead an unorthodox, hard-driving life that would result in an early death. So voracious was he for experience that in valuing life, as he put it, he could not help but shape the penetrating, passionate, and colorful poetry and prose he produced(Larsen 35). Of his work Ja
In conclusion, James Agee's novel (Death in the Family) was a story of the challenges a family faces during tragedy, not just from death, but from confusion and disagreements within the family(Critical essays in modern literature pp. 876). (A Death in the Family) is one of those books that falls into the great works category as it explores some thing that is universally felt as all families eventually loose some one. It also shows how love can bind a family even if it is love that tears them apart. It also show how religion can play a role in how people take action and that the not doing some thing because it is technically against the religion may in itself be against it. And lastly and may be most importantly it show how tragedy serves to make one stronger, more mature, and able to deal with future problems. Which is why in James Agee's novel (Death in the Family) the main themes are love, religion, and maturation. mes Agee (Promise and Fulfillment), Agee is described as a "versatile and accomplished artist whose mind played freely over all possible media of expression and whose abilities with the English language was exceeded by none of his contemporaries" ( Larsen148). Agee's medium of expression encompassed everything from poetry to screenwriting, and his drive for perfection lead to numerous awards. A conflict between Mary's father and her brother Andrew, who do not believe in God, and Mary and her aunt Hannah, who are strong believers of Catholicism also occur as a result of issues unresolved. Agee showed his view of priests through the children's reaction to Father Jackson, the priest that visits their mother. The children listen in on their mother's conversation with the priest and feel that he is trying to hurt and defeat her. The children also fear the priest, and Rufus feels that his father would have killed him if he were still alive. One of the most poignant scenes in the novel occurs when Mary has to tell her children that their father is dead. Rufus understands almost right away that his father has died and he will never see him again. But his younger sister Catherine has a little more trouble. As their aunt is explaining the details of their father's death, Catherine asks the innocent question, "When's Daddy coming home?" Another example of love in the novel is the love between husband and wife. Going back to the dinner as the father is expressing his want to spend time with persons that his wife found repulsive which was a frequent source of disagreement among the two. This gives an example of how matters that seem to be able to destroy a family can be overshadowed by the long and lasting bond between family members. Even in times when the family members are on totally opposite sides of an issue it is revealed that the love and bound the family share are unbreakable even by personal wants, desires, and even the personal love of something else. Truly the love of family is one of the strongest types of love, but overall love is a great force.
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Approximate Word count = 2686
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)
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