Examine the presentation of the theme of ‘home’ in ‘AHWOSG’

The theme of home is quite evident throughout the novel but Eggers seems to use many different styles to emphasise it. Most of the home themed scenes focus on the family attempting to find comfort again but never really feeling at total ease.

We are first given a description of the house as being a ‘factory’ which immediately gives off a slightly negative, dull aura. Factories are not usually associated with ‘comfort’ or a homely feeling so for him to call it that suggests something is off. Dave later on personifies the furniture in his family room, giving them ‘clenched teeth’ and ‘sharp elbows’ to express the almost frustration felt in the room. Although some adjectives used are unpleasant, Dave says the family possess random items because they ‘see beauty within and cannot say no’. He is most likely reminiscing on all the times he thought things were useless but now have slight meaning to him. When in the hospital room, Beth points out the lack of TV to which Dave replies with ‘weird’, suggesting even the smallest of devices represent home.

When Dave and Beth begin house hunting, Dave feels a deep sense of guilt due to the constant disappointment occurring. However, he soon describes his ideal home in the style of listing because it’s always been his dream to live in a loft. The neighbours also seem to be a vital factor when moving because they don’t feel comfortable or at home when everyone is distasteful. A new home also proves difficult because of the ages of the two. It’s hard enough without a mother but when landlords refuse them because of the difficulties, the idea of home seems to be getting further away. We know Dave senses something is wrong before even being told due to the ‘stricken’ look of the man upon seeing the two. The short, simple sentences express defeat and almost impatience, due to the time waste on a lost cause. Even after moving from house to house, none of them contain the homely feeling they crave. They feel like ‘house sitters’ or ‘vacationers’. This may be down to the lack of household appliances and possessions they hold dear to them.

Dave often refers to himself as the ‘parental figure’ but only when it suits him, and sometimes Toph. He worries often that others will notice the laziness in the household and report it. When house hunting, Dave always checks for the household appliances mainly due to the responsibility he doesn’t want to have. Without all the technology, they live messily, only sometimes motivated to clean when someone points it out. However, forgetting about responsibilities and letting loose seems to be almost therapeutic to them because they feel innocent and child-like again. To them, home really is where the heart is and is not in a house but in fact in the family.