Thomas Hardy's The Son's Veto, Graham Greene's The Basement Room and alan Sillitoe's Uncle Ernest

Thomas Hardy's The Son's Veto, Graham Greene's The Basement Room and alan Sillitoe's Uncle Ernest

In each of the three stories, 'The Son's Veto' by Thomas Hardy, 'The

Basement Room' by Graham Green and 'Uncle Ernest' by Alan Silitoe, the

respective writer conveys a sense of isolation regarding the central

character. There are numerous similarities between the characters

based on their common plight, but each story differs in the portrayal

of these characters. The writer's effectively present the characters

using a varying range of literary styles. In 'The Son's Veto' the

disabled Sophy is denied happiness from not fitting in to a higher

social class. Graham Green in 'The Basement Room' employs a surreal

situation to demonstrate the vulnerability and naiveity of youth.

'Uncle Ernest' is a story, which adopts a dreary approach to Ernest's

life.

The opening descriptions of the three characters are very effective

and induce stereotypical views. This applies to Ernest especially in

'Uncle Ernest' as we first hear of him wearing a "dirty raincoat" and

looking as though he "hadn't washed for a month". These observations

imply that Ernest is homeless and the use of "dirty" further emphasize

the fact that something is wrong in his life. Sophy also stands out

from everyone else in 'The Son's Veto' but for different reasons to

Ernest. Hardy creates Sophy's character to be misplaced in society, as

she is a "young invalid lady" and wheel chair bound. In contrast to

this her "nut brown hair was a wonder and a mystery". Her hair is used

to make reference to her history suggesting a mysterious and dark

background yet its vibrancy allowed her to maintain a part of her

character. The wheel chair depicts isolation espe...

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...he war. The reader is overwhelmed with

sympathy for Ernest, as nothing ever seems to result in happiness for

him.

Our sympathies lie with all three characters as their isolation has

been conveyed to the reader effectively by each author. Philips

loneliness is a result of a troubled up bringing which leaves him

mentally scared for life. Sophy and Ernest on the other hand are

similar to each other and unlike Philip. They both induce a sense of

helplessness in the reader after a life of persistent disappointment

denies them from any chance of happiness. It becomes almost inevitable

that Ernest and Sophy would end up completely isolated as events

throughout the stories favor this outcome. On the other hand Philip's

situation is different, he is portrayed as a very vulnerable character

and it's as if he is prevented from ever having a chance to live a

life.