Building a House Into a Home

In today's world and society, people's homes are seen as the place you go to after work, school, or sleep in at the culmination of the day. However, in the book Home by Marilynne Robinson, she defines a home from a very different point of view and perspective. Robinson describes the home and the house as two very distinct places. Robinson portrays the home as a feeling, and the house as a place. After reading the book Home by Marilynne Robinson, I truly believe a home is a place where you feel secure, welcomed, loved, and supported. I also believe that the evidence for this is shown through Robinson's indirect characterization of, her plot's protagonists, Jack and Glory.

Whenever the majority of people go home, they feel welcomed. Also in Home, Jack was not once denied entry even though he had been gone for a numerous amount of years. Not only that, Jack was welcomed lovingly by his father, which is shown when Robert insists on a hug when he greets his son. As soon as Robert sees Jack he says, "'Yes shaking hands is very good but...' And he embraced his son" (Robinson 32). The actions of Robert show even though Jack may have been gone for such a long time, Jack will be greeted with love within his own home. Not only does Jack's Father welcome him with love, so does Glory. Even though Glory may not know Jack that well, she knows how much her father values Jack's presence. This is shown when she says, "'You couldn’t be more welcome here, Jack. You can't know what it means to him to have you here (Robinson 34)"' Although Glory may not personally treasure Jack's presence due to his 20 year absence, she knows how much her father does appreciate it. This is why Glory tries to make Jack feel welcomed to their home as much as she can. Both Glory and her father are shocked, yet pleased with Jack coming home after all these years. This just emphasizes that even after years of not being home, family does not change and cannot be altered. They will still be very welcoming and caring for those they love.

Not only is Jack always welcomed, prior to the passing of their mother, the house would be full with family. There would consistently be cousins, aunts, uncles, running all over the house in a flurry of activity. This even caused a certain peculiar feeling within Glory after she had to live in the house alone just with her father. At this point, Glory basically feels not at home due to the emptiness within the house. In her new, yet old home, Glory seems to feel alone, she says " It was being home that made her remember, being home alone in all that silence,…"(Robinson 18). At this moment, Glory has moved in again, without the presence of all of her siblings. She seems to feel isolated. Also, Glory shows a feeling of remorse when she says, "Did she choose to be there, in that house, in Gilead? No, she certainly did not.(Robinson37)" This is consequently able to portray that Glory does not seem to feel at home within this house anymore. She also has grown to find herself another home and this one feels different from the way it used to make her feel. Although Glory wants to help her father, she is feeling not at home without all of the family there. This home in a sense has been ruined or destroyed for her. Which in turn shows the importance of a family to care and love for others within a home.

Although Jack and Glory have an awkward relationship, they do always want to support and care for each other. Their relationship shows how people should behave within a home, Glory supports Jack through a tough time in his life. Glory not only welcomes Jack with love, she also cares for him right away. This is shown when she provides Jack with simple necessities as soon as he arrives. Glory gets Jack towels, coffee, a razor, and aspirin. This simple gesture ensures Jack that Glory wants him there, and wants to care for him. Even after sometime, Glory continues to worry in regards to Jack especially when he leaves home. Glory seems to worry continuously, "Why did he leave? Where had he gone?"(Robinson 65). This shows that Glory cares for Jack and wants to make sure he is not up to something bad again, such as drinking. Also one day when he returns after drinking, Glory is upset, however she still helps him. In response Jack says, "'I wish you wouldn't cry,' he said. ' Give me a minute here. I know you want to help me, Glory'"(Robinson 245). Jack's response not only shows he cares, it also shows that he is aware of Glory caring so much about him. Glory and Jack have a very unique relationship, however when it comes to supporting each other as family. They do not ever stop caring for each other.

After reading Home by Marilynne Robinson, I realized the importance of family within a home. Also realized the qualities a house requires to be transformed into a home; feeling of security, being welcomed, getting loved, and having familial support. All of these qualities help the characters in the book build a home. Even in our society today, this concept of the home being a feeling and the house being a place exists. For many people it takes time for a home to really feel along the lines of a home to them. People can learn from this book how to build a better home for their families to live within.

#MarilynneRobinson #Home #home #family