An Analysis Of The Theme Of Initiation In Other Voices,Other Rooms

Truman Capote is a famous contemporary American novelist and Other Voices,Other Rooms is a typical bildungsroman.The novel tells the story of Joel’s journey to find his father as he grows up.Searching for his father is also the process of discovering himself.Through self-exploration and interaction with others,Joel accepted his true self and realized the spiritual growth from innocence to maturity.Based on the theory of bildungsroman,this thesis analyzes the theme of growth in Other Voices,Other Rooms from the characteristics of bildungsroman,and points out its writing strategies on the theme of initiation.Chapter one is the introduction.The introduction part explains the reason for the topic selection,the significance of the research and the research status of the novel Other Voices,Other Rooms.At the same time,the thesis sorts out the concept of bildungsroman and points out that Other Voices,Other Rooms is a typical bildungsroman from the aspects of characterization,narrative structure and content of the novel.Chapter two to Chapter five is the body part.The second chapter analyzes the protagonist’s growing perplexity from three aspects: the emergence of identity crisis,the absence of the father role and the death of ignorant love.The third chapter discusses the important element of bildungsroman "guide".There are two main types of guides that influence Joel.Misguided guiders hinder Joel’s healthy growth,and growth partners give Joel love and help.Chapter four analyzes the other important elements of bildungsroman,that is,the rite of growth and Epiphany.It was these actions and events that helped Joel achieve spiritual growth.The fifth chapter aims to explore the writing strategy of the growth theme in Other Voices,Other Rooms,and points out that gothic elements and symbolism are helpful to highlight the growth theme of the novel.The epilogue part summarizes the initiation theme of Other Voices,Other Rooms,and points out that the alienation of people’s psychology reflected in the novel,as well as the theme of loneliness and growth,is still worth pondering in modern society.