The Prodigal Son

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The most significant theme in Home is the parable of the Prodigal Son, which has been a common theme in literature throughout time. Robert Boughton is beside himself with joy that his son Jack is coming home, even though Jack has been away for over twenty years and severely negligent in his devotion and duty to his family. Boughton has always felt a special affinity toward Jack, perhaps because he has been such a challenge and most in need of love and attention. Even though Jack has disappointed his father over and over again, Boughton forgives him and welcomes him home unconditionally. Boughton even goes so far as to suggest that he was at fault for the troubles Jack caused; he thinks that he could have done more for Jack. He asks Jack if he was a bad father. Jack seems flabbergasted at the fact that his father continues to love him, even after the pain he has caused and the sins he has committed.

Forgiveness and Redemption

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Jack has received forgiveness from his father and his sister for misdeeds of his youth, and even those of the past twenty years. Boughton has learned from his many years of preaching that forgiveness must come before understanding. It is clear that both Glory and her father have chosen to forgive Jack in order to understand him better and to help him. Jack cannot forgive himself and is haunted by thoughts of being destined to spending eternity in hell. He feels unworthy and unable to escape his past and turn his life around.

The man who Jack seems to seek forgiveness from the most is Ames. Ames thinks that he has always been able to see through Jack and has always considered him a scoundrel. In Jack's opinion, acceptance and forgiveness coming from someone seemingly as objective as Ames would prove to him that redemption is possible.

Home

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Another theme in this novel is the idea of going home again. Can adult children happily return to the home of their childhood? For both Glory and Jack, it seems unlikely; they have both returned home because there was nowhere else for them to go. They both struggle with the idea of being in their childhood home once again and the emotions that come with the inevitable memories. It is significant that of the eight siblings, the two to return are Jack, who caused so much pain to his family, and Glory, who as the youngest was left behind to pick up the pieces and soothe the pain Jack’s absence caused.

Glory says at one point that she hates being home because it reminds her of when she was happy. Glory has mostly happy memories of her childhood; she had hopes of having a family and home of her own one day. The fact that she is back in her childhood home at the age of thirty-eight is proof that her dreams will not come true.

Jack had hoped that returning home now, as an adult and possibly one day with his wife, would be a second chance to enjoy the safety and comfort that this home should have offered him as a child. He discovered however that the lingering memories of his many misdeeds would prevent him from finding happiness in Gilead.

Family

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Jack is continually surprised at Glory’s willingness to help and believe in him. For Glory it is a matter of family; Jack is her brother and she cannot look at him any other way. Throughout her childhood, Glory has sought the acceptance and attention of her brothers. She is anxious for Jack to accept...

(This entire section contains 193 words.)

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her into his life and become a part of the family again.

The forgiveness from his father and sister sits upon Jack like grace from God; it is not earned but rather endowed upon him. Jack's inability to accept this "grace" from his own family is a source of pain for Boughton, who cannot comprehend Jacks rejection.

Jack wonders if he can offer his dying father some peace of mind by telling him that he has reconciled his faith, but even in the end he is unable to lie to his father and betray his own beliefs. Jack fails to understand that what his father wants from him is more than any time of religious assurance, but that all he wants is for Jack to accept the love of his family and to return their love with trust.

Race

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The town of Gilead and its citizens seem untouched by the race conflicts happening throughout the country during this time period. Jack has more than a passing interest in the issue; he is in love with a black woman and has a son with her. He has come home seeking a safe haven to live out the rest of his life with Della and their son Robert, but his father’s indifference and archaic attitude toward the problem prove too overwhelming an obstacle. Even though Robert Boughton is a devout minister and has spent most of his life guiding and preaching to the Presbyterian population of Gilead, he fails to find room in his heart for compassion for the African American struggle.

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