Conflicts

There appears to have many conflicts within this novel. The conflict between the old and the new and the materialistic and the non-materialistic way of life. These conflicts are revealed through the characters and their differences. There are differences in old professor and his wife. There are differences between the professor and his two daughters. There are differences between Rosamond and her husband, Louie Marsellus, and Kathleen and Scott and Tom Outland. The professor is reluctant to give-up his old lifestyle and his former student, Tim Outland. He wants to hold on to his daughters and his old house. He feels discomfort in his new house, and this reveals the professor’s resistance to change and to new lifestyle. He stays in the old study room and argues with Augusta when she asks for the forms. He also holds on tightly to memories of Tom Outland because he does not want to face change. Since he changes his house and he lost Tom Outland, he seems to have no future outlook and presents himself as someone who is waiting to die. His wife on the other hand, mingles with her son-in-laws and is more adaptable and adjustable to the changes. Professor is reluctant to let go of his old life by remembering and feel pain for Tom Outland. Rosamond and Louie on the contrary, does not feel the pain the professor feels. They name their place “Outland” simply to please their father rather than to memorize Tom Outland. They are not troubled by the fact that they are living on Tom’s money. Professor, however, does not accept the money Tom left behind. Rosamond and Louie on the other hand pursue the modern or new or modern way of life. They live on the money that was made by Tom Outland and are portrayed to be materialistic. Rosamond is overly concerned with her appearance and wants the best things she can get. Her relationship with Louie is extremely materialistic. He brought her clothings and gives her everything she wants. To contrast Rosamond and Louie's marriage, the author uses Kathleen and Scott's marriage. Scott is not wealthy and is a writer, but nevertheless, Kathleen seem to live a life with more love. Tom Outland and his adventure in the American Southwest show that he is different from Rosamond and Louie. Tom works in the ranch and loves nature. He is unconcern of neither many material goods nor the money. Tom resembles the professor while Rosamond and Louie, in some ways, resemble Lillian.