Look Homeward, Angel

Thomas Wolfe

“Look Homeward, Angel” by Thomas Wolfe is a sprawling coming-of-age novel that follows the life of Eugene Gant, a young man growing up in the fictional town of Altamont, North Carolina. Wolfe employs a variety of literary devices to capture the richness and complexity of Eugene’s experiences, including vivid imagery, stream-of-consciousness narration, and powerful symbolism. Through these devices, Wolfe creates a vibrant and emotionally charged world that captures the essence of the American South in the early 20th century.

Themes 📚

1. Coming-of-age: The novel explores the process of growing up and the many challenges and conflicts that arise as Eugene Gant navigates his way through adolescence and young adulthood.
2. Family: Family is a central theme in the novel, as Eugene struggles to come to terms with his relationship with his parents and siblings. The novel also explores the ways in which family history and legacy shape our identities and our sense of self.
3. Identity: The novel grapples with questions of identity, as Eugene struggles to find his place in the world and to define himself in relation to his family, his community, and the larger social and cultural forces at work in his life.
4. Memory: Memory is a recurring theme in the novel, as Eugene reflects on his past experiences and tries to make sense of his life. The novel explores the ways in which memory shapes our perceptions of the world and influences our actions and decisions.
5. Death: Death is a pervasive theme in the novel, as Eugene confronts the loss of loved ones and struggles to come to terms with his own mortality. The novel explores the many ways in which death impacts our lives and shapes our sense of self.
6. Race and class: The novel explores issues of race and class, as Eugene grapples with his own privilege and the ways in which social and economic factors shape his experiences and opportunities.
7. Religion: Religion is a recurring theme in the novel, as Eugene struggles to come to terms with his own beliefs and to reconcile his faith with the challenges and contradictions of the world around him.
8. Art and creativity: The novel celebrates the power of art and creativity, as Eugene discovers his own artistic talents and finds meaning and purpose in his work as a writer.
9. Love and relationships: Love and relationships are central themes in the novel, as Eugene grapples with his own romantic feelings and navigates the complexities of human connection and intimacy.
10. Nature: Nature is a pervasive theme in the novel, as Eugene reflects on the beauty and power of the natural world and finds solace and inspiration in its rhythms and cycles.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Imagery: Imagery is used to create vivid and evocative descriptions of people, places, and events. Wolfe’s use of imagery helps to bring the story to life and engage the reader’s senses, from the sights and sounds of Altamont to the inner workings of Eugene’s mind.
2. Stream-of-consciousness narration: Stream-of-consciousness narration is used to capture the flow of thoughts and emotions as they occur in the mind of the protagonist. Wolfe’s use of stream-of-consciousness narration helps to create a sense of immediacy and intimacy between the reader and Eugene.
3. Symbolism: Symbolism is used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. For example, the angel statue in the title serves as a powerful symbol of Eugene’s quest for transcendence and meaning in his life.
4. Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is used to hint at future events and build suspense. For example, early in the novel, the character of Ben Gant is introduced, foreshadowing the role he will play in Eugene’s life.
5. Metaphor: Metaphor is used to compare two seemingly unrelated things. For example, Eugene’s thoughts and emotions are often described in metaphorical terms, such as when he feels “like a leaf blown by the wind.”
6. Allusion: Allusion is used to reference other works of literature, history, or culture. For example, the novel references a wide range of literary works, from Shakespeare to Dante, to explore the themes and ideas that are central to the story.
7. Repetition: Repetition is used to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis in the text. Wolfe uses repetition to reinforce key themes and ideas throughout the novel.
8. Flashback: Flashback is used to provide context and background information for the story. Wolfe’s use of flashback allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of Eugene’s life and experiences.
9. Foreshortening: Foreshortening is used to compress time and create a sense of urgency in the narrative. Wolfe’s use of foreshortening helps to create a sense of momentum and tension in the story.
10. Themes: The novel explores a variety of themes, including coming-of-age, family, identity, memory, death, race and class, religion, art and creativity, love and relationships, and nature. These themes are woven together through the use of literary devices such as imagery, stream-of-consciousness narration, and symbolism, creating a rich and complex portrait of life in the American South in the early 20th century.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The stone angel	The stone angel that adorns Gant’s monument shop symbolizes the characters’ struggles with mortality, ambition, and their search for meaning.
The boarding house	The boarding house, “Dixieland,” represents a microcosm of the larger world, where characters from various backgrounds come together and interact.
The train	The recurring image of the train symbolizes both escape and the passage of time.

2. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Helen’s illness	Early in the novel, Helen’s ongoing illness foreshadows her eventual death.
Eugene’s interest in writing	Eugene’s interest in writing as a child foreshadows his later career as a writer.
Ben’s decline	Ben’s decline in health and behavior foreshadows his eventual tragic end.

3. Imagery

Example	Explanation
The mountain landscape	The detailed description of the mountain landscape sets the tone and atmosphere of the novel.
The Gant family home	The imagery of the Gant family home conveys a sense of chaos and energy that defines the family dynamic.
The town of Altamont	The portrayal of the town of Altamont captures the spirit of the early 20th-century American South.

4. Allusion

Example	Explanation
Biblical references	The novel contains several Biblical allusions, such as the names of characters (e.g., Eugene and Eliza) and the story of Cain and Abel.
Classical mythology	The novel contains references to Greek and Roman mythology, such as the story of Icarus and the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Literary references	The novel makes frequent allusions to other literary works, including those of Shakespeare and Walt Whitman.

5. Flashback

Example	Explanation
Gant’s early life	The novel includes flashbacks to Gant’s early life, providing insight into his character and motivations.
Eliza’s past	Flashbacks to Eliza’s past give context to her ambitions and her relationships with her family.
Eugene’s childhood memories	Eugene’s childhood memories, told in flashback, show the development of his character and the influence of his family on his life.

FAQs 💭