The Works of Lynne Sharon Schwartz - Essay Example

Article and the Analysis Introduction There are numerous themes in literature. These themes represent the perspective of the author various issues, which can be observed or experienced in the society. The themes may explore human emotions or give life lessons on various issues. This theme is consistent with the works of Lynne Sharon Schwartz including The Wrath-Bearing Tree", and “Referred Pain”. The aforementioned books explore human life and the issues, which influence individuals in their daily endeavors. One theme, which stands out, is the effect of family life among the characters. The author is dexterous in exploring situations where family life is experienced. The depiction of love by the author is not overt in all situations. This means that a reader should analyze the stories comprehensively in order to comprehend the significance of life. Despite the use of other themes in the works The Wrath-Bearing Tree", and “Referred Pain by Lynne Sharon Schwartz, the theme of invisible family love stands out. In order to comprehend the theme of invisible family life, it is crucial to explore both books. In the Referred Pain, the author explores the life of Richard Koslowski who was a musician and a computer expert. The author uses the triviality of a broken tooth to develop the story whereby the protagonist is obsessed with the quest of finding a replacement that was perfect (Schwartz 75). The protagonist seeks the expertise of numerous dentists in order to fulfill his obsession. It is apparent that the obsession is spurred by the determination of the protagonist to rid himself of a mysterious pain. The protagonist later realizes that it is not the tooth that if fractured but rather his life. The suffering of the protagonist due to his experiences of his family and this affect his current relationships (Kates 211). It is evident that the theme of invisible family life is consistent in the other stories including hostages to fortune where a couple bickers constantly over imaginary children. In order to comprehend the theme of invisible love in the book, it is crucial to explore the examples provided by the author in the book. In the book The Wrath-Bearing Tree, there are some consistencies with the aforementioned book. This is evident in the information that the protagonist’s father was awaiting a critical surgery, which dictates whether he will live. The narrator and her sister are regular visitors since their father was hospitalized. These visits expose them to different characters including a dementia patient. The events make the narrator to reflect on her family. This enables the narrator to make realization of what issues affect their family relationships (Kates 213). For instance, she develops a longing to share her feelings of love with her father, but this is suppressed by the reservation in the family. During the surgery, the narrator becomes aware that some feelings will never be expressed fully. It is evident in the story that the author highlights the theme of family love. In both books, the author appears to be inclined in highlighting family love. It is evident that the events in the stories are guided by the quest of individuals to establish, manifest or experience family life. For instance, the book The Wrath-Bearing Tree, the family experiences a tragedy in that the father faces the possibility of death. The author explores the significance of love in instances when a family faces crisis (May 38). The author explores situations where families realize they have not been vocal enough about their feelings. This is consistent with the theme of invisible love where the emotion is not manifested in ways, which are visible. For instance, the narrator wishes that she could tell her father he loved her. This realization came at a time when the family was facing the possibility of losing their beloved father. It is evident that the narrator loved her father. However, she expressed this love in other ways but was never vocal about it. This is evident in the dedication of the narrator to visit her father regularly in the hospital prior to the operation. It is evident that the society the narrator was living in was reserved, and issues about love could not be manifested openly. This confined the narrator to manifest her love by other means. Despite the struggle of the narrator to manifest her love for the father, she was dictated otherwise by the reserves of the community. Another incidence where the theme of invisible love is evident is the realization of the narrator that she needs family love during crisis. The narrator appears to be vulnerable at the time and prefers to be near her father and sister. In addition, her magnified need to manifest her love also shows her need for love during this period. It is evident that when the narrator was among her family she experienced invisible love. This love cannot be seen but is experienced by the narrator during her experiences during this time. The theme of invisible love is also evident when the book Referred Pain is analyzed. The title of the book is consistent with the aforementioned theme. The title is consistent with a term used in medicine to denote pain without a known source (Matthews 387). The meaning of the title appears to have a symbolic significance on the aforementioned theme. The title seemed to symbolize the pain experienced by individuals when they do not experience family love. The significance of the theme invisible love is evident in the exploits of Richard Koslowski and his broken tooth. The obsession of the protagonist to fill his broken tooth appears to signify the real problems in his life. The author is aware of the suffering his parents encountered during the holocaust. In his attempts to experience the suffering of his parent during the era, he experiences a mysterious pain. It is evident that the experiences of his parents affected his current life (Kates 213). His efforts to compensate for the experiences of his parents exemplify the theme of invisible love. The love of the protagonist towards his parents that resulted in the mysterious pain experienced in his mouth (Matthews 388). The author’s constant exposure to the pain his parents and loved ones experience appears to affect him. He is lost in trying to fit into the life of his parents, which involved suffering. In addition, the situation of the protagonist is made further complex by the impending death of his father due to a brain tumor. The emotions of these events appear to take its toll on the protagonist in his efforts to empathize. It is evident that the pain experienced by Koslowski is caused by guilt. It is evident that the events, which affected his family in the past, caused a psychological pain that was trying to be manifested in a visible manner through physical means (Matthews 388). The book shows the invisible influence of family love on an individual and on how the effects can be manifested covertly. Other stories in the book referred pain also depict the theme of invisible love. In the story Hostages to Fortune, the significance of family love can also be established. The couple in the story appears to be fussing about nonexistent children. It is evident that this is some invisible manifestation of family love. It is evident hat the couple was feeling incomplete without children. This incessant need appears to have created a pseudo reality for the couple where they were able to share family love with their imaginary children (Barron 491). Family love is also evident in The Trip to Halawa Valley. The author explores the invisible bond of family love and on how it can be manifested in different scenarios. A couple, which is divorced, is able to rekindle briefly their lost love at the wedding of their eldest son. In this scenario, it is evident that, despite the disagreement of the couple, their love was still evident covertly. The scenario shows the strength of family life and its ability to overcome other issues even if it is momentary. The invisible bond in the family was made apparent by the author in the aforementioned story. Another noteworthy example of the invisible love is evident in the story Sightings of Loretta, where a widower grieves that he did not offer enough attention to her wife when she was well. He becomes aware if this actuality when it is too late. This is consistent with the theme of invisible love whereby the widower realizes that his love was not visible enough for the wife. It dawns to him that his previous actions were not enough to show his love for the wife. It is evident that this realization is brought about in the death of his wife (Barron 492). The widower appears to be regretting his previous relationship where his love was invisible. The author in this scenario reiterates that it is crucial for individuals to be proactive in showing their loved ones love when they have the chance rather than waiting when it is too late. The author explores ordinary lives in her story. However, she is skillful in revealing the subversions, which influence human life with accuracy. This is evident in the aforementioned books whereby she explores the theme of invisible love and its influence on human lives. Her approach of using the surreal approach makes her stories captivating hence engage the imagination of the reader Conclusion Family love is a powerful emotion. This is evident in the works of Schwartz where the author uses different life situations to depict the influence of love. Despite the use of other themes in the works The Wrath-Bearing Tree", and “Referred Pain by Lynne Sharon Schwartz, the theme of invisible family love stands out. The author explores how incidences of crisis make visible the significance of family love. The bonds of love experienced among individuals may not be overt but are a reality. The approach of the author provides a valuable insight on family love during the occurrence of crisis among families. This provides a better understanding of the influence of love be it overtly or concealed on individuals. Works Cited Barron, Neil. What Do I Read Next?, 2000: A Reader's Guide to Current Genre Fiction. Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. Print. Kates, Erica. On the Couch: Great American Stories About Therapy. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1997. Print. Matthews, Tracey L. Concise Major 21st-Century Writers: A Selection of Sketches from Contemporary Authors. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2006. Internet resource. May, Charles E. Critical Survey of Short Fiction: Vol. 5. Pasadena, Calif. [u.a.: Salem Press, 2001. Print. Schwartz, Lynne S. Referred Pain: And Other Stories. New York: Counterpoint, 2004. Print. Read More