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Jonathan Safran's Everything Is Illumination

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In a normal childhood, one is often offered parental support and guidance to create an environment where one can learn to be independent, in preparation for their future. Since the beginning of humanity, father figures are usually most superior in a household because of their essential role in providing a stable income and protection from harm. In Jonathan Safran’s Everything is Illuminated, this is not the case. Alex, a troubled young adult, takes on the responsibility of a father, son, and brother, while still attempting to keep up a perfect image of himself. In the novel, the reader watches as a small historical journey reveals Alex’s true colors, as his true morals and values are put to the test. Revealed through his letters, we see Alex’s …show more content…

Something that genuinely means something to Alex is the fact that "A father is always responsible for how his son is" (Salinger 247). His irresponsible and alcoholic father has failed him in this sense, and he vows not to do the same with Little Igor, whom Alex feels he is responsible for. Alex takes this line to heart. He feels as if it is his duty to give Little Igor a chance at a successful future and life full of opportunity. When briefly discussing the topic of moving after graduation with his dad, he is immediately shut down when receiving the response “You are going to toil at Heritage Touring when you are graduated. It is a necessary employment” (Salinger 28). This thought devastated Alex because he desires to toil elsewhere with higher currency, like the United States. Failing to save up enough money to live a “premium life” in America with his brother, he uses his savings to pay his father out of the house. Alex desired to see new things in his ordinary life, “And [he] would be electrical to meet an American” (Salinger 27). Along with attempting to give his brother the better life that he deserves, the troubled young-adult wishes to see happiness in others lives. Not only does he tell Jonathan,“please allow Brod to be happy” when things don’t go her way his letters, but he would do anything in his power to satisfy his grandpa, as stated in a letter “I implore myself to say that I desire to never witness [grandfather] cry again. If this signifies that I must do things for him so that he will not cry, then I will do those things” (Salinger 143). Finally, as he concludes his sorrows, he deeply asks of Jonathan,“I beseech you to forgive us, and to make us better than we are. Make us good. Guilelessly, Alexander” (Salinger 145). Here, the reader is

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