A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh is a novel that can be interpreted in dozens of different ways. Paradoxically enough, critical reception of this work of fiction was not impressive at all; connoisseurs of literature couldn’t find anything special and touching in it to consider it anything special. However, A Handful of Dust is a novel that leaves a long-lasting impression and even evokes a feeling – if a reader is too sensitive – of dread. What is more, this novel will make us – readers – reconsider our core values in life.
Tony Last is a conservative person. Hetton and Brenda are the main constituents of his world which means that he is rather dependent on them. If they disappear from his life, he will be left heartbroken and destroyed. In defense of being conservative, some readers might mention the fact that Tony is happy to live that rather quiet life of his. However, they forget that Tony doesn’t live alone, he has a wife who is sick and tired of Hetton and solitary. Mr. Last doesn’t even consider an idea of her being bored. In spite of the fact that he loves Brenda, the man simply expects her to sacrifice his happiness for him. Is it fair? Poor Tony doesn’t even notice that he is a prisoner and his family residence is his cage. It seems like he is oblivious to the rest of the world. When John Andrew dies and Brenda decides to leave him – not only to leave but make him pay a large sum of money – Tony sees that he has made a terrible mistake. His voyages are an attempt to get away from everything he used to love so dearly – Hetton and Brenda – to get rid from emotional suffering. Ironically enough, Tony learns to value his freedom after he loses it. The statue that his friends erect at Hetton seems to mock him and his life.
Brenda Last is that type of a character who can evoke only negative emotions. Vain and immature, she seems to think that her pleasure should be the highest priority for others. Later on, readers might notice that she is not that bad at all, just a petty person. Unlike her husband’s, Brenda’s story ends happily. Tony, John Andrew, and even Beaver – the man she wanted to marry – are quickly forgotten, so she could start a new life, the one she could only dream about when she was married to Tony. However, we don’t know what awaits her later, so maybe even Tony’s fate would seem to be a blessing in comparison with hers.
A Handful of Dust is an instructive work of literature. It doesn’t really matter at what point in your life you read this story, the main thing is to learn a lesson it contains. Value your freedom, don’t be too dependent on others, and – what is even more important – learn how to respect other people’s right for freedom of choice.
