The World According to Garp

Summary

The World According to Garp is a novel by American author John Irving, first published in 1978. It tells the story of T.S. Garp, an extraordinary and unique individual with a vivid imagination, and his mother, Jenny Fields, an unmarried nurse who decided to have a child on her own and chose Garp for this purpose. The novel chronicles Garp's life from birth to death, detailing his ups and downs, his quest to become a writer, and the challenges he faces along the way. Through the lens of Garp's life and his family, the novel explores themes of love, loss, sexuality, family life, as well as issues of feminism and gender identity. The book is renowned for its sharp humor, deeply developed characters, and occasionally unexpected plot twists.

Main Ideas

• Exploration of the complexities of human relationships and personal development
• Searching for meaning in everyday life and tragedies
• The importance of family and friendship
• Challenges of creativity and self-expression
• Critique and examination of societal norms and stereotypes
• The impact of the past on a person's present and future

Historical Context and Significance

The World According to Garp is one of John Irving's most iconic works, published in 1978. The book had a significant impact on American culture at the time, addressing themes of feminism, sexuality, and the complexities of family relationships in modern society. The work quickly became a bestseller and helped solidify Irving's reputation as one of America's leading writers. The book received several literary awards and remains an important and discussed work, inspiring reflections on the nature of identity, family ties, and societal norms.

Main Characters and Their Development

• T.S. Garp — the son of nurse Jenny Fields, grows up without a father. Garp becomes a writer and struggles to find his place in life, experiencing various highs and lows. He seeks to understand himself and the world around him, facing a complex path of personal development.
• Jenny Fields — Garp's mother, an independent and strong woman who defines many aspects of her life on her own terms. She works as a nurse and later writes a radical book that becomes a bestseller. Her beliefs and actions significantly influence Garp's life and views.
• Helen Holm — Garp's wife, a student in a creative writing course that Garp also attends. They meet in college, fall in love, and start a family. Helen becomes a professor and writer. Her relationship with Garp undergoes many trials, reflecting changes and compromises in their shared life.
• Duncan Garp — the eldest son of Garp and Helen, experiences a childhood tragedy that results in the loss of an eye. This event significantly impacts his character and future life. Duncan seeks his own path, trying to find balance between family tragedies and his own aspirations.
• Walt Garp — the younger son of Garp and Helen, whose life is cut short by a car accident. His death has a profound emotional impact on the entire family, becoming a dark and transformative tragedy in their lives.
• Roberta Muldoon — a family friend of the Garps, a wrestler who later becomes Garp's coach. His life and interactions with Garp demonstrate the complexities of male relationships, friendship, and competition.

Style and Technique

The World According to Garp is a novel by John Irving that combines elements of tragedy and comedy while exploring deep and complex aspects of human life such as love, death, sexuality, family, and identity. Irving uses his distinctive prose to create a vivid and memorable world populated by unusual and deeply developed characters. The narrative is told from a third-person perspective, allowing the author to effectively explore the inner world of the main character, T.S. Garp, as well as other key characters. The structure of the novel is nonlinear, with the narrative interwoven with Garp's own works, including stories and fragments of his novels, adding metafictional elements and reflections on the nature of art and storytelling. Irving also actively uses symbolism and motifs, such as bears, wrestling, and accidents, to underscore the main themes and character evolution. Through a masterful blend of humor and tragedy, Irving highlights the absurdity and beauty of human existence.

Interesting Facts

• The book tells the story of T.S. Garp, a writer and the son of feminist Jenny Fields, exploring themes of feminism, sexuality, and family relationships.
• The novel includes numerous embedded stories and tales written by Garp himself, making it a multilayered and complex work.
• One of the key themes of the book is the fear of loss and death, reflected in the tragic events that occur to the characters.
• The book was adapted into a film in 1982, starring Robin Williams and Glenn Close in the lead roles.
• The novel won the National Book Award in 1980, significantly boosting its popularity and recognition.

Book Review

The World According to Garp by John Irving is a profound and multilayered novel that explores themes of feminism, sexuality, parenthood, and writing. Critics note that Irving masterfully blends tragedy and comedy, creating a unique and memorable world. The main character, T.S. Garp, a writer and the son of a feminist, faces numerous life challenges that reflect the complexity and unpredictability of human life. The book is full of unexpected twists and vivid characters, making it an engaging read. Irving skillfully uses satire and irony to highlight the absurdity of certain aspects of society. Critics also note that the novel raises important questions about the roles of men and women in the modern world, as well as the nature of creativity and inspiration. The World According to Garp is not just the story of one man, but a deep exploration of human nature and society as a whole.