The story is a narrative told in flashback from the viewpoint of Landon
Carter who relates his senior year in high school, the year, he says,
changed his life. Sparks has stated that he set the novel in the 1950s
to make the events more believable in this simpler time. He felt that
a more modern setting would not have worked as well. Sparks also notes
that he wrote the Prologue of the novel last. He was also unsure as he
was writing the novel, whether or not Jamie would die. He began writing
with the feeling that she would die, but as he ended it, he couldn't bring
himself to say for sure. He left it purposely ambiguous as to whether
or not she would die. It is up to a readers faith or feelings to make
their own determination. He states that he did want readers to have hope
that she lived.
The rising action begins in chapter one when Landon describes the small
town he lives in and how the biggest event of the year there is the staging
of The Christmas Angel. It continues with the story of Landon's
relationship with Jamie Sullivan through the play until she tells him
she is dying of leukemia.
The falling action involves the days following Jamie's revelation of
her illness and how Landon comes to terms with it. During the falling
action, he finds his way with God's help and learns the true meaning of
love and sacrifice. He marries Jamie, because he loves her, but also because
he wants to fulfill her greatest wish. In the end, he tells us that he
finally believes in miracles.
It is written in first person point of view and narrated by Landon Carter
forty years after the facts had unfolded.
The theme of love conquers all is the most prevalent theme. Every time Landon
tries to deny the impact Jamie is having on his life, the love that she
is slowly building in him and around him refuses to allow him to turn
his back on his better nature. She also spreads her love to everyone else
in the community and changes everyone for the better.
The theme of God's Plan is also an important idea. Throughout the book, Jamie
searches for the message behind God's Plan and even though she never realizes
that she is God's Plan for Beaufort, she also never loses her faith
that if we just put our trust in Him, all will be well.
Another theme to note is that of superficiality and judgment based on appearances.
Landon and his friends have made judgments all their lives about the people
they've grown up with and who live around them. As a result, they miss
out on knowing Jamie better. She's a wonderful person, but no one, including
Landon, comes to realize this until she is dying.
The theme of how we all influence each other is a theme which makes the reader
think about how we can have a lasting impact on the least among us. Jamie
fits this description. She impacts everyone around her, and through her
example, Landon and the entire community are changed for the better in
the end.
Another theme that is emphasized throughout is that of how we all have the
capacity to change. Landon is lazy and unwilling to change his life even
though inside he knows he isn't a very nice guy. But with Jamie's help,
he finds his way to become a better man and ultimately lives a better
life.
A final theme involves faith. The author obviously wants us to believe that with faith, all things are possible. His story encourages us to turn to God and trust in Him. Even if the reader has atheistic or is agnostic, the story can suggest that he can find help in his life by turning to God. At the very least, the story presents the way to become a very good person.
Clapsaddle, Diane. "TheBestNotes on A Long Way Gone".
TheBestNotes.com.
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