The Emperor's Children Literary Elements

A Novel.

The setting of the novel is Manhattan, New York at the beginning of 21st century. The story has been written in the context of the hardships faced by individuals regarding their jobs and relationships.

Claire Messud is the narrator of the book and the story has been written from his point of view I.e. from first person's point of view.

Chaotic, Resentful, Solemn, Pensive.

There are three main characters in the book around which the story revolves. Marina can be considered as an antagonist for Danielle because she marries her boyfriend and her father manipulates her.

The major conflict in the story is between individuals and their life goals. Danielle yearns for a relationship after making her career but she ends up alone.

The climax in the story comes when Clarke builds relationship with Marina instead of Danielle.

Marina's relationship with an editor foreshadows the publication of her book.

The understatement in the novel is the sufferings of the individuals regarding their employment and their relationships. Some people are fortunate enough to get their loved ones like Marina while others are unfortunate like Danielle who loses both her lovers. The author has also understated truth may get you in trouble through the character of Bootie.

There are allusions to relationships, 9/11, world trade centre, gay relationships, betrayal, broken self, enemies, corruption and loneliness.

The author has portrayed the individuals as struggling in their lives for their relationships and for making careers. Danielle has been demonstrated as being lonely. The author has demonstrated that she was successful regarding her career but she desperately yearns for love. There are also images of writing, journalism and reporting. The author has shown how Marina publishes her novel because of her fiancé. There are also images of Bootie unveiling the corruption of Thwaite's family.

The author has depicted Danielle moaning over the betrayal of her lovers.

The paradox in the story is that instead of reforming the corrupt attitudes, Murray Thwaite takes Bootie as their enemy when he unveils the corruption in the office.

A parallel has been drawn between Marina and Clark. The writer states, "It all came down to entitlement, and one's sense of it. Marina, feeling entitled, never really asked herself if she was good enough. Whereas he, Julius, asked himself repeatedly, answered always in the affirmative, and marveled at the wider world's apparent inability to see the light. he would have to show them - of this he was ever more decided, with a flamelike conviction. But he was already thirty, and the question was how?”

An example of metonymy is Danielle who represents all the individuals who remain lonely despite of having money. An example of synecdoche is the publication of Marina's novel through which the writer has alluded towards nepotism.

Relationships and jobs have been personified in the book.