Theme Of Loss In Literature

Loss refers to the unrecoverable removal of someone or something that people unanticipated mostly. It leads to permanent alienation from something or someone. Throughout the American literature, scholars have explained the theme of loss comprehensively either through images, words but most importantly by combining both. The loss that these images and words depict in these are either that of reason, passion, or pride but most fatal the loss of life. In artistic terms, the theme loss is usually symbolic of something great perhaps a lesson that the audience needs to learn. Whether in poetry, films or books, the theme comes out as an overwhelming part of art that creates a spark and life. Though some are not necessary and painful, the loss is an integral part of thematic devices that make American literature stand out. The paper discusses the meanings and the message behind this overwhelming theme so as to create an understanding of its use in literature.
To Build a Fire by Jack London is a poem that explains this theme in quite brutal terms. London introduces a man and his dog on a cold winter day
The book by Hawthorne (2014) digs deep into the subject with greater comprehension. Though it requires much attention to bringing out these concepts, the author depicts clearly through character development. For instance, Hawthorne uses the character of Arthur Dimmensdale to depict the loss of innocence and inner peace. Upon the realization by Roger Chillingworth that Arthur was the father of Pearl, Hester's bastard child, he embarked on taunting him thereby making him have the feeling of guilt. Even after Hester implores him to escape with her and be happy, he cannot seem to be at peace and, as a result, confesses his mistakes. Though from an audience perspective, one deems it completely unnecessary, the loss has been used to explain guilt. Later Hester loses the love of her life to a