James Agee was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1909, the son of a postal worker who was killed in an automobile accident. The loss of his father marked James Agee both short term and long term(James Agee p.30). Thirty years later it would form the basis of the novel which is the cornerstone of his fame (A DEATH IN THE FAMILY). In 1916 Agee was sent to an Episcopal boarding school in the Appalachians, Saint Andrews Seminary. The years spent in this monastic environment would shape and scar Agee for the rest of his days. Tormented by his sense of isolation and abandonment by his mother, he, nevertheless, found comfort in learning, and he formed his closest and most enduring friendship with his mentor, Father Flye, who became a surrogate parent, confidant, and spiritual inspiration for the rest of Agee's life(Larsen 35). James Agee acknowledged the restless journey his biography would encompass. Poet, novelist, journalist, film critic, and social activist, Agee would lead an unorthodox, hard-driving life that would result in an early death. So voracious was he for experience that in valuing life, as he put it, he could not help but shape the penetrating, passionate, and colorful poetry and prose he produced(Larsen 35). Of his work Ja
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It's not about the fights, or the actual death of his father, but about the love humans use in communication and how people deal with pain. This of course causes the actions that are played out in the story not just between Ralph and Mary but all characters as it relates to their ties to the religious side of (Death in the Family) (Seib 876). Agee's medium of expression encompassed everything from poetry to screenwriting, and his drive for perfection lead to numerous awards. These flashbacks also reveal what life was like before the accident and how that happiness died along with Jay. Which is why in James Agee’s novel (Death in the Family) the main themes are love, religion, and maturation. After the death of Jay it is seen that religion plays an important part in all aspects but mostly in the burial procedure.
Another example of love in the novel is the love of self as Ralph selfishly looks out only for himself as he had for many years until the point of transition for which the novel is titled. During Ralph’s talk with Rufus about the service, Ralph describes the sky going dark and a butter fly landing on Jay’s casket. mes Agee (Promise and Fulfillment), Agee is described as a "versatile and accomplished artist whose mind played freely over all possible media of expression and whose abilities with the English language was exceeded by none of his contemporaries" ( Larsen148). Ralph is an undertaker and wants to take care of Jay's body because he feels responsible for the death. James Agee masters the art of communication in his autobiographical novel, A (Death in the Family). This is clear as even at a serious matter such as the prospect of his fathers death he does not see any reason to change from his self loving ways . Perhaps they should adopt religion? Why is it exclusive? These are all questions of human interaction that Agee's novel provokes. Agee uses the technique of flashbacks to give the reader background on some of the characters, showing them as they where in the start to their state of maturity later.
Approximate Word count =
2686
Approximate Pages =
11 (250 words per page double spaced)
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