Essay Questions

How complex is the book ‘The Woman and the Ape’ by Peter Hoeg?

The author has randomized his ideas, making it difficult for the reader to analyze their occurrences. The fight between the captain and the Ape in the boat heading to London is sardonic. Additionally, the relationship that emerges between Madelene and Erasmus is complicated. Erasmus is a personified Ape, and it elopes with Madelene once they arrive in London. The Ape and the woman live as a couple, but the reader fails to comprehend how such a relationship can work under ordinary circumstances. Consequently, the reader finds this book disorganized and complex to understand.

How does the author position his book as a real piece of literature?

Historically, we are reminded that all human beings are animals. This novel involves an ape as one of the main characters depicting the origin of man. When Madelene gets to London, he gets bored with life's complexities, and she resolves to alcoholism. Madelene is not happy living with her fiancé, and she decides to run away with the Ape. After running away with the Ape, Madelene is thrilled, and she feels that she is an animal because she lives a natural life.

Is the author using the character, Madelene, to depict the motif of alcoholism?

Madelene represents the motif of life. Life is meaningless if it is not lived happily, as depicted by Madelene. Madelene is an alcoholic because to her; life is useless. However, Adam has an opposing view regarding life because he fault's Madelene's way of life. Finally, Madelene decides to live like an animal when married to the Ape, and she lives happily.