Theme
The main theme of this novel is the power and importance of literature and how it can connect people and change lives. In The Shadow of the Wind, many of the characters are connected by Julian Carax's and his novels. Some characters include Daniel Sempere, Clara Barcelo, Nuria Monfort, Miquel Moliner, Inspector Fumero and many others.
The main connection is the one between Daniel and Julian. Both of these characters are connected through Julian's novels and it ends up changing their lives. When Daniel discovers Carax's novels his life is changed as he chooses to embark on a journey to discover the mystery behind the burnt novels. Also the connection made because of these novels benefits Daniel's life, because Julian stops Daniel from repeating his own mistakes and this allows Daniel to marry Beatrice, whom he would have lost had Julian not helped him. Julian is also able to move forward in life and overcome the grief of Penelope's death and begin to write again, because of Daniel. The importance of literature is also emphasized throughout the novel. For instance, Julian used books to make his life worthwhile since he wrote for Penelope, because he could not be with her. Writing and literature gave Julian a reason to live, which he had lost when he had to leave the woman he loved.
Other characters lives are also changed by Julian's books, such as Nuria Monfort. She falls in love with Julian and meets Miquel Moliner the man she later marries, all because of Carax's books. Other than Carax's novels, the ability of literature to change lives is also shown in a more subtle manner through Fermin. He gets a job at Daniel's father's bookstore and is able to get off the streets and rebuild his life. Basically, the entire novel showcases the importance of literature by showing how books can connect people and change their lives.
The main connection is the one between Daniel and Julian. Both of these characters are connected through Julian's novels and it ends up changing their lives. When Daniel discovers Carax's novels his life is changed as he chooses to embark on a journey to discover the mystery behind the burnt novels. Also the connection made because of these novels benefits Daniel's life, because Julian stops Daniel from repeating his own mistakes and this allows Daniel to marry Beatrice, whom he would have lost had Julian not helped him. Julian is also able to move forward in life and overcome the grief of Penelope's death and begin to write again, because of Daniel. The importance of literature is also emphasized throughout the novel. For instance, Julian used books to make his life worthwhile since he wrote for Penelope, because he could not be with her. Writing and literature gave Julian a reason to live, which he had lost when he had to leave the woman he loved.
Other characters lives are also changed by Julian's books, such as Nuria Monfort. She falls in love with Julian and meets Miquel Moliner the man she later marries, all because of Carax's books. Other than Carax's novels, the ability of literature to change lives is also shown in a more subtle manner through Fermin. He gets a job at Daniel's father's bookstore and is able to get off the streets and rebuild his life. Basically, the entire novel showcases the importance of literature by showing how books can connect people and change their lives.