MOTIFS
AlcoholThroughout my memoir, I highlight the significance alcohol played in both the life of my father, and the culture in Ceylon. Most significantly to its repercussions on my life, alcohol resulted in the ultimate demise of my father, Mervyn Ondaatje, who suffered from dipsomania. Ultimately, use alcohol as a motif to express its negative effects on social scenes in Ceylon, as well as its destructive personal impact on the cohesion and stability of families and marriages.
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NatureI use the motif of nature throughout my memoir to express the physical beauty of Ceylon and through connotation, my deep emotional connection with the bountifully rich and breathtaking country. This motif is reinforced through my extensive descriptions of particular geographic places or moments in time developed through visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic imagery. This motif is particularly prevalent in the chapters, "Historical Relations," "Sir John," "Last Morning," and all three titled "Monsoon Notebook".
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Rumors and GossipThis motif was used throughout the novel to develop the atmosphere of Ceylon's culture. I portray the cultural dynamic in Ceylon as one of upper-class decedents of european colonists who involve themselves in social activities including horse racing, tennis, drinking, and especially gossip. Throughout the memoir, I constantly refer back to the role of gossip amidst my own family members, and the role it played in the sharing of information pertaining to the scandalous activities of my elders; particularly my father.
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DeathThroughout my motif, I use death as a means to show a progression of time in the history of my family, in addition to being one of the causes of a variety of struggles of particular characters in the memoir. Ultimately, death is used to enhance the theme of freedom, as for both Lalla and Mervyn, their deaths allowed them to be freed from the pains and hindrances of their life here on earth.
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AnimalsIn my memoir, particularly in chapters such as "Sir John," I use the motif of Animals to develop the atmosphere of Ceylon as a tropically diverse, rich country. My description of animals through vibrant visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic imagery highlights the exotic elements of Ceylon that ultimately portray my deep-rooted connection to the country.
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Other motifs include...
Letters, Dancing, Sport, Heat, Weapons,
THEMES
There are a number of themes in the novel, however the most significant include:
- THE QUEST FOR PERSONAL IDENTITY
- ROMANTICIZATION OF THE PAST
- CEYLONESE CULTURE
- THE DELICACY OF MARRIAGE