James Agee's novel is a good example of how art can be produced when the artist strives for maximum sincerity. The temptation to break ground in form and content can lead writers astray, but Agee finds his subject in the most commonplace and universal event, a death in the family. Particularly effective is the scene in which the child listens at a closed door to his mother, his great aunt, and a priest discussing the death of the boy's father. Although he cannot make out the words through the door, he is able to evaluate what is happening by their tones. This passage, which combines realism and insightfulness, is one of many effective scenes in this fine novel.
No comments:
Post a Comment