Setting and Theme: ‘this Boy’s Life,’ ‘running in The Family,’ and The Link Between Place and Characterization

In literature, settings play a crucial role in shaping characters and their narratives. They serve not only as backdrops but also as catalysts for character development and thematic exploration. This essay delves into the memoirs This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff and Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje, emphasizing how their rural settings contribute to the overarching theme of escape. The unique environments in which these stories unfold provide insight into the authors' personal goals and the motivations behind their characters’ actions and emotions.

Thematic Exploration of Escape

Both memoirs reveal a pervasive theme centered on escape, deeply rooted in the isolation experienced by the characters within their respective settings. Running in the Family is set on the island of Ceylon, while This Boy’s Life unfolds in the small town of Concrete, Washington. Ondaatje reflects on his childhood, stating that he “realized he had slipped past a childhood he had ignored and not understood,” indicating a longing to reconnect with his past (22). His father’s struggles with alcohol and his attempts to break free from parental constraints underscore this theme of escape. When Ondaatje notes, “It was two and a half years later […] that his parents discovered that he had not even passed the entrance exam and was living off their money in England” (31), it highlights his father’s desire to flee from his roots.

Similarly, Wolff expresses his own escape fantasies, recalling, “Eighty dollars seemed a lot of money, more than enough for my purpose, which was to run away to Alaska” (155). The rural and confining settings in both memoirs amplify the characters’ discontent and their yearning for freedom. Here, isolation serves as a vehicle for the theme of escape, allowing readers to grasp the significance of the characters’ desires to break free from their circumstances.

Imagination as a Refuge

As the narratives progress, it becomes evident that both authors utilize their imaginations as sanctuaries from the constraints of their environments. Ondaatje employs his creativity to fill gaps in his understanding of his past, while Wolff reconstructs his identity through acts of rebellion. For instance, Wolff’s act of stealing school forms to forge his grades and letters of recommendation reveals his desperate attempt to escape his reality. He asserts, “That was what I thought I was writing – the truth. It was truth known only to me, but I believed in it more than I believed in the facts arrayed against it” (213). This creative act reflects his longing to transcend the limitations imposed by his setting.

In a similar vein, Ondaatje constructs “truths” throughout his memoir, particularly when he recounts his grandmother Lalla’s death as “Her last perfect journey” (128). Although he was not present for this moment, he vividly describes it, illustrating his quest to make sense of his childhood and family history. Both authors’ reliance on imagination underscores how their settings shape their characters’ behaviors and the narrative styles employed in their memoirs, reinforcing the theme of escape.

The Paradox of Home

Despite the relentless pursuit of escape in both Running in the Family and This Boy’s Life, the characters ultimately find themselves tethered to their origins by the concept of home. Wolff poignantly states, “I was bound to accept my home as a place I did not feel at home in” (105). Even after leaving Concrete and joining the army, he reflects, “I did not know that the word home would forever be filled with this place” (287). This paradox illustrates the complexity of the escape theme in both memoirs.

Ondaatje’s return to Ceylon, as he dreams of Asia during a new winter (22), signifies his desire to reconnect with his past and rediscover his childhood. The settings in both memoirs evoke the notion of home, a concept that resonates with readers. This connection fosters empathy and understanding, as the authors navigate their relationships with their origins while grappling with the desire to escape.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the settings in Running in the Family and This Boy’s Life serve as pivotal elements that enhance readers' comprehension of characters’ actions and emotions while acting as vehicles for thematic exploration. The rural landscapes of Ceylon and Concrete, Washington, significantly influence the characters' development, illustrating the complexities of their desires for escape and their ties to home. Without these specified settings, the theme of escape may remain ambiguous. Thus, the significance of setting in literature cannot be overstated, as it intricately weaves together character, theme, and the reader’s understanding.

References

• Wolff, Tobias. This Boy’s Life. New York: HarperCollins, 1989.
• Ondaatje, Michael. Running in the Family. Toronto: Knopf Canada, 1984.