『구덩이』의 심층적 의미 찾아보기: 상징과 이야기 구조의 상관성

Abstract

This study examines multiple symbols and repeated motifs in Louis Sachar’s fifth novel, Holes, which has been highly acclaimed as a children’s and young adults’ story. On the surface of this novel, it appears to be simply an enjoyable story with suspense and adventures for teenagers, including the protagonist, Stanley Yelnats, and his friend Zero at Camp Green Lake. The victory of good over evil, friendship, and building up character tend to be considered the distinctive themes of this novel. In the process of analyzing literary elements of Holes such as symbols and motifs, however, this deceptively simple novel will be revealed to be a more complex and mysterious story containing a structural continuity between past and present, and a masterful unity of character and setting. Furthermore, the past-present parallel in Holes is interconnected with the use of symbols and motifs, for example, in the title, characters’ names, and setting. Since Holes is often taught in middle and high school, and sometimes in universities, this study will provide a plausible interpretation of the novel, which will enable teachers to formulate sets of questions for in-class discussions and other activities.