Often quoted as the "father of the modern detective story", Edgar Allen Poe's life also resembles a mystery. His originality and ability to create a new universe compels readers, and distorts their reality into grotesque imagery. Sadly, Poe's tormented life appeared to revolve around depression and ended because of alcoholism.
In comparison, the short life of Emily Dickinson seems no better. She remained most of her life in her birthplace, purposely away from society. Through this mysterious isolation, Dickinson similarly invents a new passionate world of love, immortality, and death.
Seclusion from the public did have its obvious reasons in Jack London's
case. London's unspoken affair ate away at his consciousness and his suffering
is apparent in his writing. He used his characters to vent the loneliness
in his own life. Unfortunately, London's brilliance abruptly ended when he
committed suicide at age 40 suffering from financial problems and alcoholism.
The only author that does not follow the usual trend of solitude, is John
Steinbeck. In fact, he was quite the opposite. He continually experimented
with literature and did extensive traveling revealing in The Grapes of
Wrath the harsh realities of the working class. Steinbeck even traveled
with a family from Oklahoma to California in preparation for this famous novel.
Yet, Steinbeck focused on the evils in life, like his fellow "Outsider"
writers, except with a more direct approach on current events.
This change in approach marks one of the developments of the Outsider theme. In the early 19th century, Poe and Dickinson used more abstract images such as supernatural spirits and heartbreak as the cause of evil, instead of addressing the actual cause to their solitude. London began to change this when he used his own experiences as a sailor in The Sea-Wolf. He introduced themes like the struggle for survival. Steinbeck took the final step by directly attacking the inhuman policies put on migrant workers during The Great Depression. This specification to conditions that were occurring during his time shows that Steinbeck was unafraid to comment on society, and its undeclared war between the privileged class and the poor. Possibly in the early 19th century, criticizing society was less heard of and restrained Poe and Dickinson.
Another transformation occurring in society was the role of women. The works
of Poe, Dickinson, and partially London portray women as dependent and nurturing
creatures. London did give credit to his only female character as being a
sharp and intelligent woman, but with the usual feminine qualities. A drastic
transition for women is shown in The Grapes of Wrath when Ma Joad begins
as a typical mother figure, and after traveling to California, takes her husband's
place as the controller when he breaks down. This symbolizes the change in
roles for men and women.
Death occurred frequently in the works of Poe and Dickinson as the alternative
to suffering. However, through time, the value of human life increased through
London's and Steinbeck's novels. Once again, this change is apparent in The
Sea Wolf when Larsen and Humphrey debate the worth of life: a piggish
existence or a priceless gift? Although death is incorporated in the works
of London and Steinbeck, it is no longer the answer. Steinbeck's characters
constantly do the opposite. During their tribulations, the family perseveres
because they lean on each other for support.
The Outsiders theme develops with the writing styles of the time, from Romanticism (Poe and Dickinson) to Realist and Naturalism (London and Steinbeck) periods. Each work still included elements of loneliness and brutal situations, but gradually became more relevant to current events and with a more positive outlook.
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