Essay Questions

What are the form and style of the novel?

The novel contains minimal outward activity; it does not anyway need sensational strain and a strong passionate effect. The tone is for the most part serious; however, there may be recognized slight dashes of the grotesque (the kitchen roller scene). Significant parts of the novel are presented in the form of Laurel's recollections. The narrative is told in the third person; however, it is seen through the eyes and from the perspective of Laurel. The novel is neatly organized, coherently partitioned into four particular parts. Laurel can be viewed as the novel's hero, her antagonist being Fay yet in addition Laurel herself. A tension among Laurel and Fay emerges already in the beginning, it continues working up until its summit in the final kitchen scene. Now Laurel massacres both of her adversaries. She disposes of her accumulated tension by frankly revealing to Fay how she sees her and she deals with herself by understanding the value of recollections she can remember.

How do main characters represent different approaches to life and death?

The main characters such as Laurel, Fay, and Judge McKelva each represent a different approach to life and death. Judge McKelva is the optimist of the novel's title. His persistent optimism, regardless of whether real or accepted, goes so far that it does not enable him to admit that his wife is dying. His optimistic approach may shield him from torment, but it bothers and damages his perishing wife because the husband's positive thinking keeps him from seeing her depression. The optimist’s daughter does not appear to share her father’s approach. Laurel gives the impression of a delicate and yet sensible individual who trusts in the best but can remember it when a circumstance gets grave. She gives a valiant effort to assist her with fathering in the hospital but already the fact of her staying with him shows that she understands his genuine condition.

Laurel’s approach is fairly realistic, though her father’s approach is somewhat idealistic. Fay moves toward all situations through animosity. She is too narrow-minded to even think any other pain than her own, she does not worry for the well-being of her husband however for her own distress following from his hospitalization. She is too unmindful to comprehend any bigger ramifications of her activities, she does not understand the part she played in her husband’s death and accuses everybody except herself.