Kleos is the glory or legend of an individual’s life. However, death is also equally intertwined with the concept of kleos as well. In Homer’s Odyssey and Toni Morrison’s Home, kleos takes on different forms due to the differing time periods the books setting is established. The Odyssey is set within the time of Ancient Greece, and during this time mankind was remembered after death by the glory an individual gained when they were alive. Similarly, in Home (set in the 1950s) an individual was remembered by their decisions in life and the effect they had on others. Although in Homer’s Odyssey and Morrison’s Home the concept of kleos in life and death are comparable, the key difference between both books are the ways in which soldiers are treated within each setting.
The Odyssey is about a Greek warrior’s (Odysseus) long journey back to his home (Ithaka) from the shores of Troy. Odysseus has participated in the Trojan War with many other warriors, and when reading we learn about that by remembering one’s life achievements Greeks are given a sense of immortality. While reading, we see an example of the legend of Telemakhos (Odysseus son) life in the making when he travels to learn about his father’s status. On his travels Telemakhos hears
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Whereas in Ancient Greece warriors who lived through the war were acclaimed as idols, in 21st century America, veterans are inadequately treated when they return home. In 2014 it was discovered that almost 9 percent of the homeless population were made up of veterans. When reading Morrison’s Home we are given first-hand experience on how a veteran (Frank Money) is treated. Given that the setting of this book is the 1950’s and Frank is an African-American, the treatment he is given (although better than the typical black man or woman) is decidedly unpleasant than that given to white