Old School is a compelling novel written by Tobias Wolff, which is set in an all-male prep school during the early 1960s. The plot of the novel portrays the competitive world of literary academia and highlights the struggles of the protagonist as he tries to be true to himself. The novel delves deep into themes of class, privilege, and identity, which are reflected in the events that take place throughout the book. One of the most prominent themes in the novel is honesty. In this blog post, we will explore this theme in detail and discuss how it plays a significant role in shaping the narrative of Old School.
What is Old School About?
Old School tells the story of an unnamed narrator who attends an elite boarding school where literary aspirations are highly sought after. The narrator, along with his classmates, compete in a series of writing contests with the hope of winning the prestigious honor of meeting a famous author. Although he struggles at first, the narrator ultimately wins the contest by plagiarizing a story. When the author eventually visits the school, the narrator struggles to come to terms with the guilt of his deceit.
The Role of Honesty in Old School
The theme of honesty plays a crucial role in the plot of Old School. The idea of honesty is portrayed in various aspects throughout the novel. The narrator of Old School is honest in his desire to be a good writer, but his actions do not always follow this aspiration. Instead, he falls into the temptation of plagiarism to achieve this goal. However, the author uses this flaw of the narrator to highlight the importance of honesty and the negative consequences that come with deceit.
Furthermore, the book showcases how honesty pertains to the idea of identity. The narrator struggles with his identity throughout the novel, and his dishonesty further complicates the issue. By plagiarizing, he takes on a false identity to appear more impressive to his peers. However, when the author discovers the truth behind the competition, it leads to the narrator’s downfall, both in terms of his literary aspirations and his identity.
The portrayal of honesty extends beyond just the narrator. The author of Old School uses other characters to highlight this theme, such as the wealthy student, Skipper, who admits his family’s wealth to the narrator despite the school’s emphasis on hiding one’s privilege. This honesty creates an authentic rapport between Skipper and the narrator, one based on mutual respect and friendship.
The Significance of Honesty in Old School
The theme of honesty in Old School shows the importance of being true to oneself and others. The novel depicts the necessity of honesty and the negative consequences that arise from choosing deceit. Through the narrator’s thoughts and experiences, it is shown how continuous deception can be emotionally and morally exhaustive.
Additionally, the author uses the novel to explore the idea of identity. Throughout the book, the narrator struggles with his identity and his perceptions of what it means to be a writer. He learns to embrace the truth and accept who he is, rather than continually denying it through lies. This shows the significance of honesty as an essential component of authenticity and true self-realization.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Old School by Tobias Wolff is a critically acclaimed novel that explores a variety of themes, including honesty, identity, and class. Honesty plays a significant role in the novel, as it highlights how deception can lead to the downfall of both literary aspirations and a person’s identity. Through the various characters and their experiences, the author portrays the importance of being honest with oneself and others. Seen as an essential component of authenticity and true self-realization, the significance of honesty in Old School is a message still relevant today.
FAQ
What is main theme and minor theme?
In literature, an essential aspect that writers consider is the theme of their work. The theme is the underlying idea or message that the author wants to convey through their story. It is a broad topic that is used to guide the plot, characters, and setting of a story. In a literary work, there can be major and minor themes that affect the overall narrative.
A major theme is the primary idea or message that the author emphasizes throughout the work. It is the most significant theme that usually involves complex ideas such as love, justice, power, morality, or knowledge. The major theme is identified by the repeatedly appearing elements such as symbols, characters, events, and motifs. Typically, the author will use the plot, setting, and characters to highlight and emphasize the major theme of their work. For example, in William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” the major themes are revenge, death, and betrayal. These themes are depicted through various characters and scenes repeatedly throughout the play.
On the other hand, a minor theme is a theme that appears briefly in a literary work. It is an idea or message that is not as prominent as the major theme but is still essential to the overall narrative. Minor themes can be identified by their limited appearance throughout the work, where they serve to amplify or contrast with the major themes. Often, minor themes are used as a secondary or sub-theme that supports the major theme. For example, in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the major themes are wealth, love, and the decline of the American dream. A minor theme of deceit is intertwined in the story and is identified through events such as Gatsby’s lies about his past.
The theme of a literary work is an essential element that authors use to convey their message or ideas to the readers. The major theme is the most significant idea, while the minor theme is a supporting idea that appears briefly in a literary work. Both themes are necessary for a complete and in-depth analysis of a literary work, as they provide insight into the author’s message and rhetorical intent.
How does the old school Tobias Wolff end?
“How Does the Old School” is a short story written by Tobias Wolff, in which he explores the phenomenon of plagiarism, especially in academic settings. The story is set in a prep school in the United States, where the narrator, who is a student, is a big admirer of Ernest Hemingway, and constantly tries to write like him. His English teacher urges him to find his own style, but the narrator insists on his admiration for Hemingway’s style.
The story takes a turn when the school announces a writing competition and promises the winner a prize and further recognition. The narrator works hard on his piece and finally submits it, vying for the top prize. The story climaxes when it is revealed that the narrator’s piece has been plagiarized from a Hemingway book, word for word.
The story ends rather abruptly, with the narrator’s summary of the consequences of his act. However, the piece concludes with a devastating sentence that leaves a mark on the reader’s mind: “Everything’s okay.” This sentence, when read in context, is an admission of their guilt, and a futile attempt at hiding their own insecurities about what they have done. The narrator knows that everything is not okay, and that this incident would haunt them forever.
What makes the end of the story so poignant is that the narrator does not realize this at the time. It is only when he reads his piece in front of the school and their reactions to it that he understands the gravity of his actions. Indeed, the form of the story is just as important as the subject matter. Plagiarism is an insidious disease, which can have far-reaching consequences, and the fact that the story is written in this form conveys this message very effectively.
“How Does the Old School” by Tobias Wolff is a powerful and thought-provoking story that deals with the issue of plagiarism in a nuanced and honest manner. It is a cautionary tale, reminding us of the pitfalls of taking shortcuts in our work and the importance of finding our own voice. The ending is a fitting reminder of the consequences of our actions and the need to always be mindful of the moral implications of our decisions.