A Comprehensive Analysis of Literary Protagonists - Sykalo Evgen 2023

Elio Perlman - “Call Me” by Your Name” by André Aciman

Character Analysis of André Aciman's Elio Perlman in "Call Me by Your Name"

Determine the Type of Character

The main character of "Call Me by Your Name," Elio Perlman, is a vibrant individual. Elio exhibits tremendous emotional and psychological development throughout the book, which is influenced by his relationships, experiences, and self-discovery. He is not fixed; rather, he changes as he struggles with the intricacies of identity, love, and desire.

Examine the Character's Place in the Narrative

The story is told from Elio's point of view, who is the main character in the narrative. The book centers on his coming-of-age experience and delves into the subtleties of his relationships, especially those with Oliver. Elio is the main character and the lens through which readers interact with the events as they occur because of his emotional and intellectual experiences.

Look into the Past of the Character

Seventeen-year-old Elio Perlman is a gifted musician and precocious child who spends his summers in Italy with his academic parents. His multilingualism and cultural flexibility are a result of his cosmopolitan upbringing, which was influenced by his French mother and American father. Elio's academically stimulating childhood paved the way for his reflective and eloquent personality.

Examine the Personality Traits of the Character

Elio has a wide range of intricate personality characteristics. He is perceptive, thoughtful, and culturally aware; he frequently muses over art, music, and literature. But despite his knowledge, Elio nevertheless harbors feelings of insecurity, fragility, and longing. His complex mental monologue, which reveals his deepest feelings and thoughts, is how his internal conflicts appear.

Throughout the book, Elio's love of the arts, his introverted personality, and his sensitivity are all clear. His love of classical music, for instance, develops into a potent motif that expresses his emotional states. Through his subtle reflections, his personal difficulties are poignantly depicted, revealing a character whose depth is shown through his inner monologue.

Assess the Character's Interactions

One of the main focuses of Elio's character development is his connections. His relationship with Oliver, an older scholar spending the summer with Elio's family, becomes central to the story. Elio's perceptions of love and desire are shaped by the progression of their relationship, which begins awkwardly and ends in profound intimacy.

Elio's interactions with his family, especially his parents, are also very important. Elio's development is aided by the novel's exploration of the Perlman family's dynamics of intellectual and emotional support. Elio's emotional and intellectual development takes place against the backdrop of the complex network of relationships found throughout the book.

Examine the Behavior of the Character

The dynamics of Elio's relationships and his mental state are closely linked to his actions. His early attempts to hide his affections for Oliver and his aloofness eventually give way to vulnerable moments and a more responsible embrace of his sentiments. Elio's actions—both covert and overt—reflect his development and internal conflicts.

Elio's acts take on additional cultural significance due to the novel's 1980s Italian setting. Elio's professions of love and want are influenced by the artistic milieu and the melancholic ambiance of the Italian countryside, which enhances the novel's aesthetic appeal. Elio's acts are like paint on a canvas, representing the story's emotional and physical terrain.

Determine the Conflicts the Character Faces

Throughout the story, Elio struggles with both internal and external difficulties. He struggles with the complexities of his aspirations on an internal level, challenging society expectations and facing his own fears. The novel delves into the difficulties presented by Elio and Oliver's age gap, societal norms, and the fleeting nature of their summertime romance from an external perspective.

Elio's mental monologues serve as a physical manifestation of his internal struggles, which highlight the clash between his own aspirations and those of society. Elio's character growth is made more tense by the outside conflicts, such his secretive relationship with Oliver. Elio's quest for self-discovery depends on how these tensions are resolved.

Evaluate the Change or Growth of the Character

Elio changes dramatically along the course of the book. There are highs and lows throughout his path from first love to a deeper knowledge of love. Elio's relationship breakup with Oliver acts as a wake-up call for him, forcing him to face and accept who he really is.

The core of Elio's development is captured in the novel's heartbreaking ending, which is set against the backdrop of Elio's father's sympathetic monologue. Elio is shown in the last scenes struggling with the inescapable nature of change and the bittersweet nature of love. Elio develops both intellectually and emotionally as he learns to negotiate the complexity of identity and desire.

Provide Proof to Back Up Your Analysis

Elio's internal conversations reveal his reflective temperament. He considers his sentiments for Oliver, for instance, saying, "These were the thoughts I had on the tip of my tongue, and there they remained."

Moments of emotional disclosure, like when he admits, "I didn't want him to know I liked him," illustrate his fragility. Being the one who doesn't give a damn is not enjoyable."

Elio's trip comes to an end with his father's moving speech, which captures his growth. "At the moment, there is suffering. Keep it alive and the happiness it has brought you."

Determine the Significance of the Character

Elio Perlman is significant because he represents a common experience of growing up. Readers are moved by his journey, which goes beyond the details of his romantic relationship with Oliver. Because of his maturation, vulnerability, and introspection, Elio is a sympathetic and engaging protagonist who encourages readers to consider their own paths of self-discovery and the complexity of love.

In summary, Elio Perlman's performance in "Call Me by Your Name" delves deeply into the themes of identity, desire, and the transformational potential of love. André Aciman creates a compelling protagonist whose emotional nuance, intellectual curiosity, and sensitivity make the story resonate beyond its particular setting. The universal themes of love, self-discovery, and the unstoppable march of time are reflected in Elio's journey.