Essay Questions

What does Emil Sinclair mean when he says, “I have no idea whether parents can be of help, and I don’t blame mine?”

Emil finds himself lonely and in a difficult situation. However, the people who are supposed to be of great help to him are not able to do so. Emil says this statement when his sisters and parents fail to get him out of loneliness. His family is respected in society but it cannot help to rescue their son from depression and loneliness. However, Emil does not blame his parents because he believes that they do not understand what he is going through.

What is the central irony of Emil Sinclair?

When Emil is introduced as the son of a wealthy family, everyone expects him to be happy because he has all that the world can provide. Ironically, the reader realizes that Emil is a sad boy who feels secluded from his wealthy family. The boy believes that his parents have misunderstood his desires. Emil and his family are like two different worlds and he feels that he should leave the family and try life elsewhere. The reader finds it sarcastic that a rich boy is poor from inside.

Why is Emil struggling with inner-conflict for the better part of his life?

Emil is asking himself many answers that do not have answers. He considers himself an individual living on the dark side of life. Unlike his parents who are religious and living on the lighter side of life, Emil is struggling with understanding why he is different from the rest of his family. Emil is doubtful of himself and lacks self-confidence. Despite being taught the difference between good and evil, Emil still believes that everything he does is wrong. Therefore, he has an unending fight with his inner-conflict.