What Is The Theme Of My Wood By E. M Forster

715 Words2 Pages

The Battles of Property Owning property is somethings that everyone strives to accomplish, however, achieving this goal and maintaining one’s beliefs and morals can be difficult. In E.M. Forster’s essay, “My Wood,” he effectively discusses the dangers of owning property. The presentation of the essay is easily understandable and keeps the reader’s attention by utilizing tone and content. He constructed literary techniques in a way that allowed the reader to form mental images of the devastating consequences that could occur from owning property. These style choices allow the reader to fully comprehend the author’s warnings. Forster presents the content of his essay in a straight-forward manner, and gives the reader a clear understanding …show more content…

The somewhat vague short sentences, at the beginning of each paragraph, captivates the audience’s curiosity and urges them to continue reading. After explaining the significance of each short sentence, Forster includes allusions or examples to convey the effect of each problem. The allusions presented, compare the issues of owning property to well-known stories or historical events that provoke an intended emotion from the reader. He warns that “a man of weight…failed to get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Forster 139)This comparison between owning property and a parable from the Bible appeals to all Christians’ need to go to Heaven. The examples portray events that have occurred and caused Forster to view the idea of owning property in a selfish manner. He explains that his “blackberries…are easily seen from the footpath…and all too easily gathered.” (Forster 141) These blackberries illustrate how man can become possessive, even over something insignificant. It can cause one to take dramatic actions, like the landowner that “built high stone walls each side of the path… so that the public circulates like termites while he gorges on the …show more content…

Although his essay reflects a serious matter, his use of humor encourages the audience to listen to his warnings without becoming defensive. This enables the reader to comprehend the intended message. He effectively incorporates humor while revealing the effect of a problem. For instance, after a bird “flew straight over the boundary hedge into a field, the property of Mrs. Henessey,” and Forster argues that “he dare not murder her.” (140) His thought process, although shocking, is highlighted with humor due to the drastic escalation to murder as a result of something as insignificant as a bird flying out of his property and to Mrs. Henessey’s. The cautious nature of the essay is able to be portrayed effectively. After the humor subsides the message becomes clear that having property can cause a man to lose his humble characteristics and obtain apathetic qualities. To be further understood, Forster references Dante when stating that “possession is one with

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