Small World Literary Elements

Dystopian novel, allegory

Post-apocalyptic world in an unspecified future, where the remnants of humanity live in a small, isolated, and enclosed community.

An anonymous third-person narrator who is omniscient and provides access to the characters’ thoughts and feelings.

Nostalgic, melancholic, eerie, and bittersweet

The protagonist is Miles, who tries to preserve his memories of the past and the memories of his family. The antagonist is the oppressive and dictatorial ruling party, who tries to suppress memories and emotions of the past.

The conflict is between Miles' desire to keep his memories and emotions intact and the ruling party's attempt to suppress them.

Miles' memories of his family are suppressed, and he experiences a psychological breakdown that leads to his eventual death.

The death of Miles' family members is hinted at throughout the story, and the tragedy of his death is foreshadowed by the ominous setting and oppressive atmosphere.

The memories that Miles treasures are described as simple, mundane, and unremarkable. This serves to understate their significance to Miles, and emphasizes how precious they are to him.

The story is filled with allusions to a variety of literary, historical, and cultural references. For example, the title "Small World" is a reference to the classic children's song, and the story itself is a commentary on the idea of a small and interconnected world.

The imagery used in the story is often bleak and desolate, emphasizing the oppressive and dystopian nature of the world. For example, the walls of the community are described as towering and impenetrable, symbolizing the limitations of freedom and individuality.

In "Small World" by Jonathan Evison, the character of Beverly is a paradox. On one hand, she is a successful and confident businesswoman who has achieved a high level of success in her career. On the other hand, she is also deeply unhappy and unfulfilled, leading her to seek meaning in her life through her relationships with men. This creates a paradox, as her success in the business world contrasts with her emotional and personal struggles. Additionally, the idea that happiness can be found through wealth and material success is a common belief in society, yet Beverly's experience suggests that this is not always the case, adding another layer of paradox to the character.

Parallelism is used throughout the book to highlight the various themes and motifs that are present. For example, in chapter 4, the protagonist, Madeleine, embarks on a journey to find her place in the world, which is paralleled by her father's journey to find his own identity. The parallelism between their journeys emphasizes the theme of self-discovery and the struggle to find one's place in the world. Additionally, the parallel between the protagonist's journey and her father's journey highlights the importance of family and the ties that bind individuals together, even as they search for their own paths.

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The small world is depicted as having a life of its own, with emotions and reactions to the events and characters within it. For example, "The sky hung heavy with sorrow, tears dribbling down its face like rain." The world is portrayed as feeling the weight of the characters' actions and experiences, reflecting their emotions back to them.