Arturos change Literature & Language Essay Research

Arturo's Change: Text Analysis Your Name
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June 6, 2020
Ask the Dust – Arturo's Change
Understanding character shifts within a novel is essential for a more productive analysis and appreciation of the art. It allows the reader to be able to understand the plot of the story, including the relationship between the characters and the overall theme being espoused by the author. In this article, I would try to focus on Arturo's character shift in the novel entitled Ask the Dust. This includes an analysis of his personality, circumstances that changed his life, as well as its relation to the overall theme being forwarded by the author of the novel. All in all, I believe that Arturo's story reflects his growth and maturity away from his obsessive tendency, as could be seen in how he deals with work, spirituality, and love.
Obsession
The whole plot of the story revolves around the life of Arturo Bandini, who is also the main protagonist in the story. At first, he was described as a naïve and inexperienced man who came from a destitute place. Being raised in a state of poverty and nothingness, Arturo aspired to become known and adored by people. He wanted to become a famous author to achieve his dreams of acquiring fame, money, and power. However, due to his initial lack of creativity and self-esteem, he initially found himself desperate to write his first novel and make ends meet. Nevertheless, it was due to the appearance of Camilla in his life that made gave him experience and the capacity for improvement and change.
At first, the story showed how Arturo's desire to become a famous writer helped him in staying motivated to achieve his goal. Despite always suffering from writer's block, he dedicates himself continually in his craft, hoping that by forcing himself to write, he would be able to overcome his difficulties. In the story, he was described as the person who would stay in "front of his typewriter two full days in succession, determined to succeed." He did this even if his efforts led to inevitable failures despite "the longest siege of hard and fast determination in his life" (Fante, 17). This gave the idea to the readers that Arturo is a person who is not only motivated but also obsessed with achieving success in his own dreams.
Subsequently, the story has reiterated this idea of obsession by portraying how his perspective in both his life and his work. On the one hand, he thinks that everything that is happening around him is brought about by his own actions or misdeeds. For example, during the time "when Long Beach is struck by an earthquake, he feels as if his misconduct has brought 'the wrath of God' down upon the earth" (Fante, 98). Misconduct that he believes is ultimately tied ...