The Golden Age Symbolism

Through the use of characterisation and symbolism, Joan London demonstrates in her poignant coming of age novel 'The Golden Age' that once characters stop focusing on the losses associated with their respective traumas and instead project their energies into creating the futures they want, they will then be able to reconcile with their past and realise their raison d'etre. London explores traumas of the past arising from racial persecution and marginalisation through the characters of Meyer and Ida Gold. Furthermore, the traumas of the past arising from the disabling effects of illness and society's reactions through their son Frank and Elsa Briggs. Through characterisation, London conveys the notion that the individuals have been able to deal