Home: Theme: Erosion of Community

Home: Theme: Erosion of Community

Background

• “Home” is a short story by Iain Crichton Smith.
• It explores the theme of the erosion of community as a consequence of societal modernisation.

Setting and Context

• The story is set on the Isle of Lewis, Smith’s home and a place of great traditional importance and rigidity.
• It centres on a protagonist who returns home after a long absence, only to find his community irrevocably changed.

Erosion of Community

• Smith uses the protagonist’s disappointment and isolation to explore the theme of the erosion of community.
• The protagonist finds that the people and places he remembered have drastically changed - showing the impermanence of community.
• The move towards modernisation and individualism is reflected in the physical disappearance of notable landmarks and the closure of communal spaces.

Loss and Change

• Smith highlights the negative impact of losing strong community ties, resulting in feelings of alienation and displacement.
• The protagonist’s sense of belonging is eroded, similar to the community’s erosion.

Impact of Modernisation

• Smith provides a critique of modernisation and its influence on traditional communities.
• The loss of community leads to a pervasive sense of isolation and loneliness, signifying the negative impact of advancing society.

Use of Language

• Through evocative description and thoughtful introspection, Smith conveys the protagonist’s sense of loss and the changing dynamics of the community.
• The protagonist’s internal turmoil and struggle to recognise his once-familiar surroundings underscore the theme of the eroding community.

Final Thoughts

• “Home” paints a poignant picture of the erosion of traditional community due to modernisation and societal changes.
• Smith’s exploration of this theme lays the foundation for discussions on the preservation of cultural heritage, the dialectical relationship between tradition and change, and the repercussions of societal advancement.