Analysis Of Goldfinch By Donna Tartt

Goldfinch written by Donna Tartt is a novel that is nothing less than beautiful. This novel is narrated in first person by the protagonist, a 13 year old boy, Theodore Decker. In this novel Theo describes his anxiety ridden life as he tries to protect himself from the consequences of his actions.
The opening of the goldfinch is absolutely captivating. Crafted like a fine art Donna combined a blend of striking imagery and remarkable foreboding. The opening reads “While I was still in Amsterdam, I dreamed about my mother for the first time in years.” By building a sense of both suspense and sympathy towards the main character Theodore Decker the introduction hooks the reader and makes the reader want to get to know the cause of the death of …show more content…
Theo describes his life before his mother’s death and tells how he was happy living with his single mother in New York. He claims that his mother provided a good life for the two of them and makes it know that although they were not rich, they were definitely well off. After describing his life prior to the day of his mother’s death Theo talks about the events on the day of his mother's death. On this day Theo and his mother were avoiding the weather and decided to check out the Metropolitan Museum of Art museum, his mother loved art. While tagging along Theo notices an elderly man and a beautiful red-haired girl who immediately catches his eye (the reader later learns that this girl is named Pippa and she becomes a lifelong obsession for Theo). Then, without warning, a bomb goes off, killing Theo’s mother and many other …show more content…
She does a very good job at using imagery. Tartt plays on the emotions of her readers as she writes the details following the explosion. Although there are few details of the explosion, due to Theo being unconscious for a short period of time following the explosion, Tartt through the character of Theo vividly explains the sight and the smell of the building when he becomes conscious. Theo also describes the fear of seeing falling debris and the never ending humming in his ears. Directly following the explosion Theo has an encounter with a man who is dying and he feels like he has to save this man. Theo being prompted to do so by this man ends up stealing a picture ( The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius) from the museum. Theo develops a serious connection to this piece of art and he does everything in his power to protect it. This connection that Theo feels for The Goldfinch can be used to symbolize his mother. The goldfinch was the foundation of his mothers career in art the attachment that Theo gets to this art piece makes it seem as though it is a preservation if his mother’s