“Privately, the eighty-first lord had hoped that by the time his end came upon him, six of the seven young lords at Stormhold would be dead, and but one still alive.” (Gaiman, 1999). This is how the Lord of Stormhold thinks about his children. Judging by this statement, the reader does not perceive him to be a loving, helpful father, but more like the head of a very dysfunctional family. Not only does the old lord wish for most of his sons to be dead, the brothers also commit fratricide. Still, the family of Stormhold is not the only flawed family. In fact most family structures in Stardust are damaged and faulty.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The House of Stormhold
- The House of Stormhold and the aspect of power
- The abduction and enslavement of Lady Una
- Tristran Thorn and Yvaine
- Tristran's connections to Wall
- Tristran; torn between two worlds
- Yvaine, the daughter of the moon
- The Lilim and the star
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The text examines the theme of family and home in the context of Neil Gaiman's novel, Stardust. The work analyzes the complex and often dysfunctional family structures within the narrative, exploring their impact on individual characters and the overall story. It also delves into the meaning and significance of home, particularly through the characters' experiences of loss, displacement, and the search for belonging.
- Dysfunctional Family Structures in Stardust
- The Significance of Home and Belonging
- Power Dynamics and Succession
- The Role of Magic and Fantasy
- The Impact of Fate and Destiny
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introductory chapter provides a broad overview of the flawed family structures in Stardust, focusing on the dysfunctional relationship between the Lord of Stormhold and his sons, as well as the complex family dynamics surrounding the protagonist, Tristran Thorn. It also introduces the character of Yvaine, the star who falls to Earth, and her search for a new home.
Chapter 2, "The House of Stormhold," delves into the history of the Lord of Stormhold's family, highlighting the recurring theme of fratricide within the line of succession. It explores the consequences of this power struggle for both the family and the kingdom of Stormhold. The chapter also discusses the abduction of Lady Una, Tristran's mother, by the witch Madame Semele.
Chapter 3, "Tristran Thorn and Yvaine," examines the relationship between Tristran and Yvaine. It analyzes the conflict between Tristran's connection to Wall and his growing attachment to Yvaine and Faerie. The chapter also explores the nature of Yvaine's celestial origin and her transition from the sky to Earth.
Chapter 4, "The Lilim and the star," focuses on the three witch sisters, known as the Lilim, and their quest to capture the star's heart. This chapter explores the complex dynamics within the Lilim family, as well as their motivations and methods. The chapter does not delve into the conclusion of their quest.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of the text are family dynamics, home and belonging, power struggles, fratricide, magic and fantasy, and the themes of fate and destiny.
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- Anne Sander (Autor:in), 2014, "Home is where the Heart is". The Meaning of Family and Home in "Stardust", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/388850
