A novel I have read recently which is about an individual's experiences yet explores themes of universal significances is "Sunset Song" by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. In "Sunset Song", it is through the life and experiences of the main character Chris Guthrie, that themes of universal significance are explored. These themes include change, war and church.
The most important theme dealt with is change. Right from the start this theme is made clear as we meet Chris moving house to Kinraddie. It is apparent that the workload had changed for her father, now having to farm thick clay fields rather than easy soil as in Echt. She has ever changing views. On the one hand she wanted to stay with the land as that is the one true place that stays the same:.
" nothing endured at all, nothing but the land she passed across, tossed and turned and perpetually change below the hands of the crofter folk.".
Even that is very slowly changing as time draws on. Chris feels drawn to the land for this reason and the standing stones, being somewhere that haven't changed is therefore a good place to tell her tale. Yet even though a connection is made to the land, a change of heart makes Chris want to study and continue at school.
"Two Chrisses went there each morning and one was right douce and studious and the other sat back and laughed at the canny antics of the teacher and minded Blawearie brae.".
When we meet Chris she is a teenager at school. As the novel progresses so too does Chris. She changes from girl with no set plans for life,.
" but she was no more than ploughed land still,".
to a young woman with responsibilities of marriage and motherhood. She is shown to have to work with the dealing of the church and have to cope with the effects of war.
The second theme is of the church and of the hypocrisy of the minister and his preaching. This shows how organised religion can effect ordinary people and effectively destroy their lives.
The Indians are greatly stirred up by the invitations, which take on another level of significance when the Nawab Bahadur, one of the most prominent Indians in the region, announces his intention to go to the party. ... Before they go, Professor Godbole sings a haunting song, but Ronny walks off in the middle of it. ...