Nathaniel Wests Miss Lonelyhearts Essay -- Literary Analysis

look is worth while, for it is full of dreams and peace, gentleness and ecstasy, and faith that burns like a see the light white flame on a grim phantom altar. So begins the correspondence of the novella of Nathaniel westbound, Miss Lonelyhearts (1933). westbounds work was not solitary(prenominal) a reaction to the national problems of the Great Depression but to the private problems generated by the it, and not only for the general public but for himself also. West brought an element of the demure into his writing that characterized two the economic and emotional belief that the 1929 crash had generated among many people in the nation throughout the 1930s. In fewer than sixty pages, West forms a clear critique of both the personal and national lives of American citizens of the early nineteen hundreds. From a clear disregard for the well-being of others to a lack of respect for the world itself, West clearly qualifies the shortcomings of those individuals. Far from solely ca sting the stone at those impertinent of himself, West is wont to use the literary figure as both a setting for the turmoil of someone affected by such(prenominal) shortcomings and the vehicle for personal desire, destruction, or change. The power of Wests novella lies in its sincere depiction of the personal struggle of humanity and decidedly complex bureau of humanitys societal struggle. While personal problems in wests world can be comforted simply by the careful wordsmith, not even the most concerned citizen may alleviate the problems generated by society alone. West uses a depth of imagery and strong character relationships to illustrate the suffering caused by dependence on a society which lacks beauty at both turn.Wests leading character, a newsman who writes an advice column and t... ...nard, Rita. The Storyteller, the Novelist, and the Advice Columnist Narrative and skunk Culture in Miss LonelyheartsNOVEL A Forum on illustration27.1 (1993) 40-61. Print. Hanlon, Rober t M. The Parody of the Sacred in Nathanael Wests Miss Lonelyhearts.The International Fiction Review(1977) 190-93. Print Light, James F. Miss Lonelyhearts The Imagery of Nightmare.American every quarter8.4 (1956) 316-27. Print. Lynch, Richard P. Saints and Lovers Miss Lonelyhearts in the Tradition - Page 8 Studies in Short Fiction. get under ones skin Articles at BNET News Articles, Magazine Back Issues & Reference Articles on each(prenominal) Topics. Web. 10 Dec. 2010. . West, Nathanael, and Nathanael West.Miss Lonelyhearts & the Day of the Locust. New York New Directions, 2009. Print.