The Theme of Confrontation in the Novels of Robert Penn Warren

Abstract

The present research paper analyses the Theme of Confrontation in the Novels of Robert Penn Warren.  The present research paper traces the background of Confrontation in human relationships. The causes of confrontation such as personal obstacles and environmental obstacles are analysed. Lack of contentment, economic depression, and search for self-identity leads to confrontation. This study further hypotheses that self-knowledge is one of Robert Penn Warren’s themes. It seems that he is concerned with man’s place in the Universe, his guilt, and complicity in the evils that surround him. This study further aims at revealing how Robert Penn Warren makes his protagonist pay the price for his pursuit of identity by losing his innocence to attain self-knowledge. According to Robert Penn Warren, betrayal, corruption, politics, and lust are also important causes of confrontation. Loss of faith in ethical values is the starting point of confrontation. Confrontation results in arson, murder, rape, or separation in the novels of Robert Penn Warren. His novels contain elements of evil and human failure, which are the typical Southern view of life. He uses the language with the southern literary stamp to portray the many faces of his characters in his novels. Robert Penn Warren’s first novel Night Rider deals with the problems faced by the tobacco farmers of Kentucky. Most of Robert Penn Warren’s novels are based on actual events from history. At Heaven’s Gate, Flood, All the King’s Men, and Night Rider contain historical themes.