Essay Questions

How is death explored in this novel?

Set during World War II, death as a theme is not so far from the minds of the characters portrayed in this excellently crafted masterpiece. Homer, the protagonist and major character in this novel is tasked with the responsibility of taking care of his family, his father is dead. As a mail delivery personnel, Homer is at times tasked with delivering letters to their respective owners and this involves the delivery of letters in which the deaths of the sons and family members of the individuals involved are announced, thanks to World War II. Homer’s brother is also enlisted in the war, and unfortunately, he does not return. Because Homer’s job involves delivering bad news to the people in the town, he finds it quite disturbing. Death thus becomes a crucial player in this work.

Homer is quite an unlucky character in The Human Comedy. Is this assertion correct? Explain.

Homer’s stroke of bad luck begins with his father’s death. In the days to come, his brother who is also a soldier in World War II suffers a similar fate. Even though Homer falls in love with a girl, Helen, his affection for her does not quite play out well seeing as Helen already has a boyfriend. Homer works as a mail delivery person, a job that during this time involves delivering bad news to the people of the town, a job that does not seem to sit quite well with him. While the argument that Homer is an unlucky character holds water, he is not the only character in the work who suffers an ill-fated life as most of these characters lose their beloved in the war.

How are familial relationships emphasized in this novel?

Relationships, particularly familial ones play a central role in combating the pain of losing loved one’s in this work. When Homer’s elder brother dies in the war, the family joins and mourns their loss together. In this way, the family becomes a major source of support for each other. When Tobey returns home from the war, the Macauley’s accept him as a part of their family. The role of the family, as well as familial relationships, is thus very well emphasized in this work.