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Theme Of Identity In The Holder Of The World

Decent Essays

Identity: an inanimate belief everyone longs for, a form of reassurance in a tangible world full insecurities and ambivalence. Identity is defined as the qualities, beliefs, personality, or expressions that characterize a person. While these characteristics describe us, we are unable to place them ourselves. These identities and characteristics, although they make us human, are the cause of the disillusion within ourselves. We live in a society where the outside world is encouraged to label us with identities based on how they perceive us. For centuries, a glass wall has manifested an impenetrable boundary between external expectations and our true selves. As we clash with others to redefine our sense of self, over time, through experiences and interactions, we slowly break free. …show more content…

Themes of identity and ‘the Other’ transcend both space and time as Beigh Masters, the narrator, embarks on a historical journey to find the truth about the Emperor’s Tear, and ancient gem from India. Traveling to museums and libraries, Beigh hunts for information about Hannah Easton, a woman from seventeenth century Salem connected to the mysterious jewel. As we relive Hannah’s life from Beigh’s eyes, we learn about Hannah’s experiences, struggles, and her extreme perception of self. The Holder of The World uses its overarching tropes to provide a hybrid space inclusive of those labeled as Other – Beigh and Hannah – the ability to explore their own

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