Themes In Zorba The Greek

Topic :Significance of nature as a motif to depict the emotions of characters in Zorba The Greek .
Nature in the novel zorba the greek is a recurring theme , symbol and idea, which serves a variety of purposes in bringing out noticable effects . This enhances our understanding of the novel to a greater extent . Since Zorba the Greek is a novel which uses emotion as a basis for forming and developing characters through the use of symbols and imagery , I would like to explore how exactly nature as a motif helps in bringing out feelings of the characters in this novel.Another aspect that interested me in writing about this topic is the fact that the narrator of the book is emotionless towards the beginning ,but his journey with Zorba in Crete …show more content…
In the novel birds are used to large extent like the insects to symbolise peace and add to the vast life of the book . “Each wave, each bird in the sky calls to you and reminds you of your duty. When walking with company you laugh and talk, and cannot hear what the waves and birds are saying.” The birds here are messengers to the narrator , bringing in him an inner conciousness .Another important use of bird imagery is seen when Madame Hotense’s parrot is said to bring out attention in Zorba by reciting the word “Canavro”.Madame Hortense herself is is described as a ‘Siren’ which is part bird . Towards the end of the novel when Madame Hortense is sick and Zorba is by her side his eyes are said to resemble those of birds from which tears fall down . This tells us that birds are used to bring out a wide spectrum of emotions among the characters .Lastly when the old siren is dead she is said to resemble “a huge exotic bird had fallen from the sky, its wings broken, and they had gathered on the seashore by their village to watch it die. “ Over here we can infer that the death of a bird is something that is said to bring out exasperation and vitality among the characters of the book . The death of a bird in greek culture seems to be of great interest as it could relate to the myth of the Deathless Hoyl Bird which regains life like a Pheonix. Also , Zorba and and Old Mandrovani are said to have eyes like “falcons” which make them sharp in character .
To conclude I would like to say the novel ‘Zorba the Greek’ has made use of nature to bring out the relevance of greek culture and also resonate with global audiences . He is able to bring out emotions and sensitivity with the characters of the to make them vulnerable so that the novel has a vicarious effect among us readers . Also the Narrator’s emotional journey is brought about hand in hand with Nature as a motif