Marilynne Robinsons Housekeeping - Essay Example

Task: Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping Marilynne Robinson is considered an anomaly in today’s great tradition of the American Literature. She is one of the few American novelists who are at peace enjoying their achievements as successful novelists. One of her known and popular novels is Housekeeping, an interesting novel that earned and claimed different titles I various literature competitions and comparisons, among them being Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Hemingway Award for best first novels.

Besides, it was named one of the best 100 greatest novels of all time. This paper will lucidly analyze the passage on the sisters’ issues and discussions, considering major concepts and points portrayed in the novel itself. The entire novel revolves around the sisters; therefore, the most interesting part of the novel with numerous humors comes from this part. Chapter five of the novel shows that Ruth won a prize for her attendance of her grandmother’s life. The first person who lures her into truancy is Lucille.

Her trickiness is noticed after cheating on an exam. She feigns various illnesses and decides not to continue going to school for a whole week. She refuses to return until she reads Sylvie’s note that excuses her absence. The note read, “I did not call the doctor since she seemed quite well by 9.30 or 10.00 in the morning”(Robinson 59). Lucille then announces to the people that she is leaving, and is going by the lake instead. Ruth decides to accompany her. The idea of Lucille feigning sickness gives the story its thrilling aspect (Robinson 67).

Analyzing the names of the two sisters also probes another way or means through which literature experts compile their works of art. For instance, the Lucille is named for the representation of light; not necessary a desirable or strong thing in the world, especially of “Housekeeping.” A few days later, the two sisters are still once again playing their truant game on the lake. They do this when they see Sylvie walking out of onto the nearby bridge. Lucille reminds her that if she falls, everyone would definitely think that she did it for a purpose, including them.

Both girls shockingly realize that they cannot simply no longer realize the knowledge that their aunt is not a stable person, thus, going through the bridge successfully might be a great problem for her. For a shorter while, Ruth informs the readers that Lucille remains “loyal” to her, as well as, to Sylvie. The end is, however, in sight. Neither of the two sisters can help being the she is. The bias of Ruth’s remark still looks unnoticeable to many. Some question on whether it would be cogent for her being a good friend to her oldest and closest sister, Lucille.

The question and concern that arises is that Lucille cannot be accommodated by Ruth due to her characteristics of excessive longing for clothes, normal conversations, as well as, friends. Analytically, sibling rivalry, in the passage has been portrayed in a similar manner as that exhibited in the bible. This shows the writer’s expertness in the use of allusion in coming up with creative ways of using literary devices to create humor in the novel. Work CitedRobinson, Marilynne. Housekeeping.

New York, NY: Picador, 2004. Print.