Critical Analysis Of Ironweed Essay

Critical Analysis Ironweed

Ironweed was written in 1983, but it is based in the years of the early 1900s. One of many major events that happened during this time period was the depression. This book reflects the depression and more specifically what a person might do during the depression. The author illustrated that Francis did things that many people in that time would do, such as, collect his five dollars for the twenty-one times that he went to register to vote, and turning to the bottle to try and escape his problems and life in general. Many people in that time period would do anything for a dollar and this shows that Francis would do something over and over again to get money. The book also reflects on the many hard times that one person might have, as well in that era families were having the same issues and problems.

The biggest historical event that happened to help shape and influence this book was the depression. It shows how someone as big as a baseball player with all the things in the world could have absolutely nothing in a matter of seconds. Since this happened to a baseball player this could of happened to anyone during the depression. Ironweed is kind of a rough read but all in all it is an uplifting story of how someone is on their own road of redemption. It really is an uplifting read and shows that if you want to change or better yourself you really can.

It is important to know what happened during the time period in which the book takes place, if not you might just think it is another book about how someone lost everything they had, and is a social derelict. Knowing that the depression happened during this time period helped me better understand what the author was saying. As I was reading the book I could imagine in my head what the certain setting might have been. In the book Francis was constantly on the run from his own outbursts of violence that were sometimes lethal, running from his family responsibilities and work and always to drink. In my past I have talked to some people who lived during the depression and I remember them saying things that related to this book very closely." And further, the attention that the bums, the swells, the waiters, were giving the man, proved that this drunk was not dead, not dying, but living an epilogue to a notable life. And yet, and yet here he was, disguised behind a mustache, another cripple, his ancient, weary eyes revealing to Francis the scars of a blood brother, a man for whom life had been a promise unkept in spite of great success, a promise now and forever unkeepable. Francis Phelan Ironweed

Our own time period helped me read and understand this book because to me it seems like many people are going through what Francis went through right now. A few years ago our economy as a whole took a huge hit and soon enough people were getting forced out of their houses, losing their jobs, and just barely scraping by to live. Seeing this and hearing this happening to so many people, seems like we are going through the modern day Ironweed. I see that today that people will do whatever work they can to make a buck or two, just to put food on the table. People no longer can live outside their means. Since our economy and country is the way it is today, I better understood this book.

After reading the novel I can make many connections from the book to the present time. This book is not just about the fall of someone, but to me it is more about how someone can right the wrongs from their past. Also Ive connected that not just in todays society are people losing sight of what is important like family and standing strong but also not letting lifes situations get you down. The book also reflects on the many hard times that one person might have, as well in that era families were having the same issues and problems. Everyone in every era faces hard times, and in those hard times you pick yourself up and keep going with what dreams and goals you had have for yourself and for your family.