My Secret History Themes & Social Concerns

This Study Guide consists of approximately 7 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of My Secret History.

My Secret History Themes & Social Concerns

This Study Guide consists of approximately 7 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of My Secret History.
This section contains 634 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the My Secret History Short Guide

My Secret History Summary & Study Guide Description

My Secret History Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to help you understand the book. This study guide contains the following sections:

This detailed literature summary also contains Related Titles on My Secret History by Paul Theroux.

Preview of My Secret History Summary:

A common theme in the modern novel is the sense of alienation among people in contemporary society.

My Secret History takes up this theme.

The novel focuses on the life of Andre Parent, a Catholic who grows up in Boston during the 1950s and who copes with the repressive environment of his early life by living two lives — one open and conforming, the other secret and reckless. Through this novel, Theroux makes dual comments on modern society: that repressive and judgmental forces are driving everyone to hypocrisy and that such secrecy can go unchecked because of extreme isolation.

Theroux suggests that people compartmentalize their lives to accommodate the conflicting demands of society and self. Because people are judgmental and dictatorial regarding the behaviors of others, they turn to secrecy in order to fulfill themselves without jeopardizing their status in the community. As Andre...

This section contains 634 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the My Secret History Short Guide
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My Secret History from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.