One of the main themes for “In Country” was the reversal of roles Sam and Emmett play. In a normal situation Emmett would play the role of the father, but in this book Sam the teenager seems to be the caretaker of Emmett. Universally, this theme represents the irresponsibility of many parents in today’s society. In particular, this theme goes along with how a traumatic event in one’s life can damage their ability to grow as a human and be forced to be taken care of by somebody else.
The literary element associated with this theme is irony. Throughout this book, Sam is the parent figure in Emmett’s life since his return from war. This is very ironic considering Emmett is supposed to be the father figure in Sam’s life. One specific scene in “In Country” deals with Sam and Emmett going to a dance for Vietnam veterans. After the dance Emmett does not come home from the dance and Sam once again plays the parent role. Even though Sam is in dire need of a father figure, she is forced to take that role on herself for Emmett. This scene represents irony which can be seen throughout the book.
The literary element associated with this theme is irony. Throughout this book, Sam is the parent figure in Emmett’s life since his return from war. This is very ironic considering Emmett is supposed to be the father figure in Sam’s life. One specific scene in “In Country” deals with Sam and Emmett going to a dance for Vietnam veterans. After the dance Emmett does not come home from the dance and Sam once again plays the parent role. Even though Sam is in dire need of a father figure, she is forced to take that role on herself for Emmett. This scene represents irony which can be seen throughout the book.
4 comments:
This is something that I have noticed throughout the reading. Sam longs to learn about her father and what he was like, but she has no clue about anything her father was. Although Sam does need a father figure, and Emmett is the logical person for that, I think that she in a way enjoys looking after him. She does not complain about looking after him and it is almost as if she likes it!
I agree with cory that the lack of a father figure in Sam's life ends in Sam possible wanting to become that father figure to Emmett in a sense, Sam has that tomboy aspect to her personality, maybe she is trying to act as how her father would be as a father to her.
I never really thought of their situation as ironic but now that you mention it it does make a lot of sense. Here's a young girl who needs guidance in her life and the only adult she really spends time with has trouble surviving day to day, though its obviously not his fault.
Kyle, this is a good analysis of this motif -- the universal level of the theme, though, has to be something not specific to a particular society (like parental irresponsibility). It might be that the universal element of this theme has something to do with human beings' need for interconnectivity, for connection with other human beings and for caretaking at various junctures in life. It might be, for example, that Sam's caretaking of Emmett, while unusual, isn't a bad thing. It does make her a lot more mature than her friend who ends up pregnant and getting married at 18; it helps her to become who she is, and Sam is clearly on her way to becoming a mature, productive person (unlike, say, her mother who is not much of a caretaker).
Anyway, the theme isn't so much about parental irresponsibility as it is about human relationships and human needs, I think. You could even connect the theme here to one of the key themes of Farewell to Arms ("to love is to serve" -- and in that book, to love is equated with personal heroism and fulfillment of self). I think the same could be said here, too.
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