What is the True Meaning of Home?

The concept of home and all that it constitutes creates a never-ending search for a true definition. One work of fiction, Home by Robinson, strives to define home through many different techniques. These strategies include, but are not limited to: characterization, central themes, and change over time. Over the course of closer analysis, a reader may hope to come out of this novel with a greater understanding of the concept of home, and exactly what the word itself entails.

Jack is introduced to readers as almost a mischievous, good-for-nothing brother who was known for charming people regardless of his criminal activities. At the beginning of the novel, Jack is not present in person, but only through letters sent as he travels north to the childhood house. When he arrives, a very dismissive and aloof manner overtakes him, resulting in the readers beginning to perceive Jack in a negative light. Out of respect and concern for the father, Jack holds the façade, but progressively allows Glory to see the broken edges of his person. Thus, Jack begins to define home as the place where the true character of an individual shines.

Certain aspects of the character’s change throughout their stay at the childhood home clearly outline Robinson’s view of what constitutes as a “home”. To Glory, home becomes the place where she grew up, combining all of the good memories with the hardships faced. While her original motive for coming home was a result of her divorce, she finds that “coming home” was much more than she expected. The demons of his past haunt him, but he realizes that with love from his family or more accurately, those around him, can make any place a home. The ensuing argument between the father and son showcases the conflicting racial views of our major characters. Jack adopts a loving personality towards people of all color, saying “I’ve known a good many Negroes who are more respectable than I am (Robinson, 155).” this show that Jack has been attempting to foster a positive, loving attitude towards all people. Readers also discover that Jack’s love interest when he lived in Memphis was none other than a black woman. Thus, Jack builds his definition of home by whom he surrounds himself with. Although the definitions of home differ from character to character, the effect is similar. learn that through Robinson’s work, home does not have a true definition, but rather caters to the individual.

As a whole, Marilynne Robinson takes multiple shots at defining what home truly is. From the generic definition of being a place where one lives, to the deeper, individualistic views of what constitutes a home, Home is a novel which strives to answer these questions. Although a large cast of characters is present, we see the main attempts at defining home through the actions and personalities of Glory and Jack. Differences in the same family especially highlight the power of individuality on the concept of home versus household. The family, although all moved out, shares the household over the course of the novel, but not all of the characters necessarily consider that house to be their home. All encompassing, home is the result of a person’s true character coming into alignment with their personalities and the society surrounding them.

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