Conflict and Resolution Dinner at the homesick restaurant Conflict is a disagreement that occurs either internally or externally based upon ones ideologies and beliefs in order to achieve the goal of where everyone and everything is perfect. Conflict could also be seen as a move by an individual or group to make others think and follow in the same way as they are. In Anne Tyler's novel Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, conflict is portrayed in different ways and through different characters. These conflicts are both internal and external and are based primarily on the characters ideologies.
Anne Tyler represents conflict in various forms but especially through her main characters, Pearl and Ezra Tull. Pearl, a loving mother of three children who becomes somewhat lonely and passive after being separated from her husband Beck. She faces both external and internal conflict when she has to bring up her three children all by herself, trying to earn income and also hide the fact that her husband has left, "Children dear ones,"ÃÂ she would say.
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Pearls of colors"There's something you should know."ÃÂ But she wouldn't be able to continue; she might cry. (Pg. 14) Ezra Tull is a more laid back person who owns a restaurant in his hometown of Baltimore. He faces two main types of conflict; both are internal as well as external. Firstly, he feels that his family is very dysfunctional since they can never get down to have a complete family meal together without someone running off angrily. Secondly, he is distraught when his wife to be, Ruth, is snatched away from under his nose by his brother Cody. He feels that he cannot get Ruth back and cannot reason with Cody.
The reason for Pearl's conflict is due to her husband leaving her and the thought of her having to fend for herself and provide for her family is something that she cannot come to grips with. After being married for quite a while to a man who she has got to know, got used to and traveled all over the country with; she feels as if she has lost a major part of her life and a part that she may never be able to find.
The nature of Ezra's conflict is based upon him being upset that he does not get to see his family together and that his brother has stole his girlfriend out of jealousy and competition. A lot of Cody's girlfriends used to like Ezra and wanted to get to know Ezra "ÃÂ this caused Cody to feel envious and the only way he could get Ezra back was to return the favour.
Every persons conflict is based upon discourses / ideologies regarding the way that they see a perfect way for the world to run. The characters Pearl and Ezra based there conflict, both internal and external, on their beliefs and the way that they see best for themselves. Pearl's ideology is that the man of the house should have to do the hard yards and provide for his family. This ideology of Pearl makes it hard for her to see Beck leave and hard for her to tell the children that Beck has left. She finds it difficult to fit into society since her background and way of thinking is based upon her beliefs and how she wants others to think of her.
Ezra being a friendly, caring person has a different sort of ideology compared to Pearl. He believes that families should be close and should not be quarrelling at every possible moment. This ideology makes it hard for him to argue with Cody but at the same time makes him angry and frustrated to see that his own family cannot sit down together and have a complete family dinner.
All continuing conflicts, wars, battles and fights are all due to the fact that no resolution can be found. A resolution is a mutual agreement between groups or individuals in which both benefit and both are satisfied with what the outcome is. In the novel Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant the author resolves the conflict in a way that both parties benefit. Although it may not be the ideal resolution for the characters, it is one that they could be satisfied with.
Pearl's ongoing conflict within herself is resolved very late in her life and at a time where she had got used to her problem. Beck returned and wanted to be re-united with his family. Pearl accepted him due to feeling that Beck could still have some sort of impact on her life and that she could still receive a little help from him.
Ezra's conflict of not being able to see his family have a complete dinner at his restaurant is resolved when they all do end up completing a meal together "ÃÂ as the title of the novel suggests. However, his conflict of getting Ruth back is one that he cannot seem to resolve. He feels as if he cannot change the situation due to Cody and Ruth being married for too long and also having a child between them.
This contemporary literature does show how novels portray life and that they are based upon events that have actually happened. It is also clear that ideologies do shape the way people think and also the way in which they follow. From this study of the novel Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, it is shown that everyone does go through some sort of conflict through their life, either external or internal; and in most cases there is a resolution.
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Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant