Strength In What Remains Analysis

Uplifting hope and disparaging downfall are exhibited in Tracy Kidder’s, “Strength in What Remains”. The mere title hints towards the thematic significance of the book,showing how the main character picks up the best from the dismal situation. The novel traces the life of a Burundian man, Deo, who escapes a political genocide in his country and is forced to reside in country completely foreign. Building up from the bottom, with no english and no resources under his belt, Deo manages to acquire some contacts to help start in the new country. From his lowly state, Deogratias, through hard work and perseverance, manages to exceed in a scholarly sense; he makes it all the way to the top collegiate level and medical school. The story is not narrated in a linear …show more content…
I think God has given so much power to people, and intelligence, and said, 'Well, you are on your own. Maybe I'm tired, I need a nap. You are mature. Why don't you look after yourselves?" Deo would pause, then say, "And I think He's been sleeping too much." By this, Deo means that he looks upon the help of God, to solve his problems and his nations, but feels somewhat neglected in the cause. This leads him to ponder deeper things, like the root and cause of issues in Rwanda and Burundi; he traces these problems back to poverty and disease. Although this novel may show some bias towards the crisis in Rwanda and Burundi, the main purpose of the novel was to create an accurate account of the effects of genocide on a regular civilian and to show the hardships of struggling to strive in a third world country, ridden with poverty. I personally enjoyed the book, because of the powerful and meaningful messages conveyed through the depiction and daily life of a troubled victim. The author makes the story more personal, by introducing himself and his role in rediscovering Deo’s life. Kidder dredges his way deep into the active warsite, trying to fully grasp the true essence of a third world