“The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold is a novel that has captivated readers for years. The book tells the story of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl who is murdered and watches over her family and friends from heaven. However, the novel is more than just a tale of a tragic death and its aftermath. It is also an allegory for the human experience of grief, loss, and acceptance.
The novel explores the different ways that people cope with loss and how they move on with their lives. Susie’s family members all have their own ways of dealing with her death, and the novel shows the impact that her death has on each of them. Through the characters’ experiences, Sebold provides insight into the stages of grief and the importance of finding closure. The novel also touches on the idea of justice and how it can be difficult to achieve in cases of violent crimes. Overall, “The Lovely Bones” is a thought-provoking and emotional read that delves into the complexities of human emotions and experiences.
Overview of ‘The Lovely Bones’
“The Lovely Bones” is a novel written by Alice Sebold and published in 2002. The story revolves around a teenage girl named Susie Salmon who is raped and murdered by her neighbor. The novel is written in the first person from Susie’s perspective as she watches over her family and friends from heaven.
The story is set in the 1970s and explores themes of grief, loss, and acceptance. The novel is also an allegory for coming to terms with death and the afterlife. The story is divided into chapters that alternate between Susie’s observations from heaven and the lives of her family and friends on Earth.
Through the use of vivid imagery and symbolism, Sebold creates a haunting and emotional tale that explores the impact of trauma and loss on individuals and families. The novel also delves into the nature of justice and revenge as Susie’s family seeks closure and the killer remains at large.
Allegory in Literature
Allegory is a literary device that uses characters, events, and settings to represent abstract ideas and themes. In allegorical literature, the characters and events are not meant to be taken literally, but rather as symbols that represent something else. Allegories are often used to convey moral, political, or religious messages.
One of the most famous examples of allegory in literature is George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” In this novel, the animals on a farm rebel against their human owner and create their own society. However, the society begins to resemble the human society they overthrew, with some animals becoming more equal than others. The novel is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism.
Another example of allegory in literature is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.” In this novel, a woman named Hester Prynne is forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her chest as punishment for committing adultery. The letter “A” represents her sin and guilt, and serves as a reminder to the townspeople of her transgression. The novel is an allegory for the consequences of sin and the power of redemption.
In “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold, the story can also be interpreted as an allegory. The main character, Susie, is a young girl who is murdered and watches over her family and friends from heaven. The novel can be seen as an allegory for the afterlife and the journey of the soul. Susie’s journey in the afterlife represents the stages of grief and the process of letting go. The novel also explores themes of forgiveness and the power of love.
Allegorical Elements in ‘The Lovely Bones’
Susie’s Heaven
In ‘The Lovely Bones’, Susie’s heaven represents a form of afterlife that is personalized to the individual. Susie’s heaven is a reflection of her own desires and experiences. It is a place where she can escape from the harsh reality of her death and find peace. The heaven is a metaphor for the idea that every individual has their own unique experience of death and the afterlife.
The In-Between
The in-between is a place where Susie is neither alive nor dead. It represents a state of limbo, where Susie’s spirit is stuck between two worlds. The in-between is a metaphor for the idea that death is not a clear-cut transition from life to afterlife. It is a complex and confusing experience that can leave individuals feeling lost and uncertain.
The Charm Bracelet
The charm bracelet that Susie wears throughout the novel is a symbol of her life and the memories she has left behind. Each charm represents a different moment in her life, and together they form a narrative of who she was. The charm bracelet is a metaphor for the idea that every individual has a unique story to tell, and that their life is made up of a series of moments that shape who they are.
Characters as Allegorical Figures
Susie Salmon
Susie Salmon is an allegorical figure of innocence and purity. She represents the goodness and beauty of life that is taken away by tragedy. Her character symbolizes the loss of innocence and the fragility of life. The author portrays Susie’s character as a victim of a heinous crime, which represents the vulnerability of humanity.
Mr. Harvey
Mr. Harvey is an allegorical figure of evil and darkness. He represents the darkness that lies within human nature. His character symbolizes the dangers of the unknown and the unpredictability of life. The author portrays Mr. Harvey’s character as a psychopath, which represents the evil that exists in society.
Abigail Salmon
Abigail Salmon is an allegorical figure of grief and sorrow. She represents the pain and suffering that comes with loss. Her character symbolizes the emotional turmoil that the Salmon family experiences after Susie’s death. The author portrays Abigail’s character as a grieving mother, which represents the universal experience of loss.
Jack Salmon
Jack Salmon is an allegorical figure of hope and resilience. He represents the strength and determination of the human spirit. His character symbolizes the ability to overcome adversity and find meaning in life. The author portrays Jack’s character as a father who never gives up on finding justice for his daughter, which represents the power of love and determination.
Themes and Symbols
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is a novel that explores various themes and symbols. The following are some of the most significant ones.
Themes
- Grief: The novel is centered around the theme of grief, and how it affects individuals and families. The characters in the novel all deal with grief in different ways, and the novel explores the complexities of this emotion.
- Healing: The novel also explores the theme of healing, and how individuals can find a way to move on from their grief. The characters in the novel all have different paths to healing, and the novel shows how healing can be a long and difficult process.
- Family: The novel also explores the theme of family, and how families can come together in times of crisis. The characters in the novel all have different family dynamics, and the novel shows how families can be both a source of comfort and a source of conflict.
Symbols
- The Lovely Bones: The title of the novel is a symbol that represents the idea of finding beauty in tragedy. The lovely bones are a reminder that even in the midst of grief, there can be something beautiful to hold onto.
- Susie’s Heaven: Susie’s heaven is a symbol that represents the idea of finding peace after death. Susie’s heaven is a place where she can finally find the peace that she was denied in life.
- The Snow Globe: The snow globe is a symbol that represents the fragility of life. The snow globe is a reminder that life can be shattered in an instant, and that we should cherish the time that we have.
Interpreting Allegory in ‘The Lovely Bones’
Loss and Grief
The Lovely Bones is an allegory that explores the themes of loss and grief. The novel portrays the struggle of the Salmon family to cope with the loss of their daughter, Susie, who was brutally murdered by their neighbor, George Harvey. The family members each deal with their grief in their own way, with some finding solace in religion and others in revenge. The novel shows how grief can bring people together or tear them apart.
The Coming of Age
The novel is also an allegory of the coming of age, as Susie watches her family and friends grow and change without her. She sees her siblings mature and her friends move on with their lives. The novel explores the theme of how life goes on even after a tragedy. Susie’s death forces her family and friends to confront their own mortality and to grow up faster than they would have otherwise.
Justice and Resolution
The Lovely Bones is also an allegory of justice and resolution. Susie’s murder is eventually solved, and her family is able to find some closure. The novel explores the theme of how justice can bring peace to those who have suffered a loss. However, the novel also shows that justice is not always perfect, and that sometimes people must find their own ways of resolving their grief.
Critical Reception and Analysis
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold has received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the novel’s unique perspective, with the protagonist narrating the story from heaven. Others criticized Sebold’s writing style, stating that it lacked depth and was overly simplistic.
Despite the mixed reviews, The Lovely Bones was a commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide. It was also adapted into a film in 2009, which received mixed reviews from critics.
Critics have also analyzed the novel’s use of allegory, with some interpreting it as a commentary on grief and healing, while others saw it as a critique of suburban life in the 1970s. Sebold’s own life experiences, including her rape and assault, have also been examined in relation to the themes of the novel.
Comparative Study to Other Works
When it comes to exploring the theme of death and its aftermath, there are several other works of literature that one can compare to “The Lovely Bones.” For instance, “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak also features a young narrator who dies and observes the world from beyond the grave. However, while “The Lovely Bones” is set in a contemporary American suburb, “The Book Thief” takes place in Nazi Germany.
Another work that shares similarities with “The Lovely Bones” is “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. Both books deal with young protagonists who are facing death, and both explore the themes of love, loss, and acceptance. However, while “The Fault in Our Stars” is a romance novel, “The Lovely Bones” is more of a mystery and a family drama.
Finally, “The Lovely Bones” can also be compared to “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger. Both books deal with the theme of innocence lost, and both feature a young protagonist who is struggling to come to terms with the harsh realities of the world. However, while “The Catcher in the Rye” is a coming-of-age story set in New York City, “The Lovely Bones” is a supernatural thriller set in a suburban community.