Guilt. Guilt is another HUGE theme in American Literature. There are plenty of books that I could use as a comparison, but because I have read the Scarlet Letter recently, this will suffice. In the Scarlet Letter, Hester feels guilty for breaking away from the social norms, and committing a crime in the Puritan community. Dimmesdale also feels guilty, because he has sinned, but the citizens of the Puritan society still believe he is a saint.But, while guilt is in one corner of the ring, ambition and love stand in the other. Dimmesdale and Hester are in love and want to be together, but the weight of their guilt is bearing down on them.
Katie is in a similar situation when we first meet her. After those two weeks during winter break, Katie was ready to move to Africa. But, her parents had a different life in mind for their young and driven daughter. They believed that Katie could do well and maybe accomplish the 'American Dream', but only if she stayed in the United States and attended college. Unfortuantely for her parents, God was on the other side of the rope, and his will for Ktie was greater than that of her parent's. As the book continues and her story develops, Katie travels back and forth from the United States to Uganda, more and more. As she begins to visit her family more often and settle back into her normal American ways, Katie is troubled by her guilt. She so wants to honor her parents' wishes and continue school, but God is calling her to Uganda and she must go.
Guilt is not an abstract idea. It is quite simple, but found repeatedly in American literature.
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