A Long Way Home Literary Elements

A Long Way Home Literary Elements

Genre

Memoir

Setting and Context

The memoir was written in the context of the narrator's life history, starting in India, Ginestlay.

Narrator and Point of View

First-person narrative

Tone and Mood

There is neutrality between the tone and the mood.

Protagonist and Antagonist

The protagonist of the book is Saroo, who is also the author of the book.

Major Conflict

The author’s family is not accepted in any part of the town because the mother is a Hindu and the father is a Muslim. The mixed religion makes the author’s family be regarded as a disgrace in society.

Climax

The climax comes when Saroo is adopted in Australia and gets a new family.

Foreshadowing

Saroo’s arrival in Calcutta foreshadowed his peaceful and fruitful future.

Understatement

Humanity is understated in the text. When Saroo realizes that he is lost on the train, he cries for help, but people intentionally ignore him, and no one is willing to help.

Allusions

The story alludes to the challenges brought by poverty in families.

Imagery

The imagery of poverty is prevalent throughout the text. The author describes the conditions under which Saroo and his family lives are devastating. At times, the family sleeps hungry. Consequently, the description of poverty in this text depicts sight imagery.

Paradox

The irony of humanity is paramount in the text. For instance, people can decide to ignore paying attention to an individual who needs help. Sarro cries for help on the train, but people ignore him. Similarly, the street children in Calcutta are chased by people instead of helping them with accommodation and food.

Parallelism

Saroo's misplacement and adoption to a new family in Australia parallel Guddu’s efforts to locate him.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

N/A

Personification

Poverty is personified as having the ability to make others suffer in society.

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