Literary Elements In The Grifters By Jim Thompson

e Grifters by Jim Thompson is strongly defined by seduction, greed, and deceit. Through these motifs the author creates a theme, Thompson further develops his theme with the use of many other literary elements that complement the novel. The author can be seen as though he is a carpenter of literature who builds and constructs the novel using literary elements that frame and support the theme. The foundation of The Grifters is built upon plot and setting however, it is also built up using characterization and symbolism to superstruct theme. Analyzing how theme, characterization, and symbolism persist throughout the novel helps the reader discern the connotation by which the author exerts. Jim Thompson’s main theme in The Grifters is deception

When Roy was beat with a bat ,in the beginning, he gets sick outside and a cop comes over to check him out. Thompson revealed character traits of narcissism through symbolism at this moment because Roy explains how he declines medical attention because “any prolonged contact with the cops would result in a record… at best a nuisance.” (Thompson 4) The women in novel symbolize temptation and elation of sexuality. This proves to be part of Roy’s demise, he seems to use the women for his own sexual pleasure. It is ironic and vague yet meaningful symbolism, when they describe how Carol wears a cross necklace. The necklace defines how Carol is a religious, calm, and a christian woman, yet Roy is attracted to her and vice versa. There two personalities contradict one another as Carol is one of goodness while Roy is rambunctious and his obvious sexual attraction through their affair. Their affair highlights the theme of evil desires and the reader is open to creating their own representation of Roy and how he really feels that “money over women”(Thompson 164)on his of list importance. The last piece of symbolism that Thompson reveals is the death of Moira even though the police allegedly think it was Moira who killed Lily. Roy was informed of the death of his own mother but he knew that his mother was still alive but the reader at first truly believes what the police had told Roy. Lilly killed Moira as she wore her red dress symbolizing death and blood spilt out of hate for Moira and love for her own son. Thompson also creates irony strategically linked to the consequences of greed experienced by Lily. This scene displays irony because out of love she wanted to protect her son but ends up killing him “abruptly, a great sob tore through her body, and she wept uncontrollably.” (Thompson