“The Destructors” By Graham Greene (1904 -1991) "The Destructors" 1
Graham Greene http: //www. geocities. com/Athens/Parthenon/1608/greene. htm n n n English novelist, short story writer, playwright, journalist Roman Catholic wrote of God’s grace and mercy, adventure, and suspense Worked in WWII intelligence Books have been made into films Suffered from bi-polar disorder "The Destructors" 2
Physical Setting n n Man-made Hostile London, 9 years after WW II Bombed-out car park "The Destructors" 3
Conflict Person vs. person n Person vs. self n Person vs. environment n "The Destructors" 4
Summary n n A gang of teenagers decide to destroy an old man’s house The gang decides to destroy the house from the inside out. "The Destructors" 5
Conflict n Consider the way the story moves: • Exposition • Complication • Climax • Denouement "The Destructors" 6
Social Setting n n n Blitzed world Destruction, aftermath of war Gang members unconsciously taking revenge on a society that has betrayed them n Class society • • • n "The Destructors" snob values money values aesthetic values Values are associated with the 200 -year- old house built by Sir Christopher Wren 7
Characters n Protagonists=gang members • appear to have opposite values of the class society they reject: • work hard at destruction • reject personal gain • forget personal rivalries • maintain justice within gang framework n Antagonists=members of the upper class • Opposite of all the above from the gang’s viewpoint "The Destructors" 8
n Themes • Loss of Innocence- Trevor the main protagonist moved into the neighborhood after his family suddenly lost their social status. He already lost his innocence. This is the reason for destroying the house. Blackie is slower in losing his innocence, by the end he is in full support of destroying the house. "The Destructors" 9
Destruction and Creation n The story suggest the possibility of creation in the face of destruction. By destroying the house the gang creates a criminal identity that will be noticed by the other gangs. When the house is destroyed, the boys create a way for Mr. Thomas to move beyond his “Old Misery” by taking away the anchor from the past. "The Destructors" 10
Class Struggle n This is seen in Trevor because he and his family once had money but were forced to move to Wormsley Commons for unexplained financial reasons. The other gang members are aware of this. The name is an upper class name, and this is why “T” is used for his name. This gives him status for the gang. As a statement ? Trevor burns Mr. Thomas life savings. This is the way Trevor aligns himself with the gangs. "The Destructors" 11
Absurdity of Life n Shows the absurdity of life and the meaningless randomness of misfortune. In making young boys the main randomness of misfortune. impetus behind all the actions of the plot, Greene reveals that oftentimes the clearest understanding of life emerges from immature and fickle minds. This is most strongly revealed in the final scene of the story; a motorist stands next to Mr. Thomas as they both gaze over his thoroughly demolished home. As the motorist laughs, the reader is left to wonder if there is any more significance to the destruction of the two homes that once stood next to Mr. Thomas "The Destructors" 12
Major Symbols n House n Top Hat • symbolically identified with the old social order and its valuing of n money n beauty n courtesy n love • Identified in two references as a symbol of high society n n "The Destructors" in Blackie’s thoughts in the Lorry driver’s final reaction 13
“Destruction after all is a form of creation. ” n n n The gang has a flipped value system. They no longer trust members of the political structure that brought the war, including their families They value friendship, loyalty, acceptance, courage, hard work, leadership. . . but not outward vestiges of power, wealth, and rank. "The Destructors" 14
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