The Talented Mr Ripley Isolation

Patricia Highsmith's unsettling novel, 'The Talented Mr Ripley', invites us into the twisted and predatory mind of Tom Ripley. Highsmith utilises a variety of literary techniques to assist in centralising the prominent theme of isolation throughout the novel. The novel hinges on Ripley's detachment from social norms and ultimately those around with him.

Tom Ripley is a solitary drifter and has never belonged anywhere his entire life. Highsmith reveals this through her effective use of setting throughout the novel. Ripley's temporary residence, a run down flat in New York, reflects his own isolation from people and normality. The dilapidated lodgings not only show that Ripley is isolated through literal means, the suffocating and impersonal nature of New York City; the dilapidated lodgings symbolise the disrepair of Tom Ripley's psyche, emphasising further that Ripley's isolation is central to him and the novel as a whole.

Patricia Highsmith exclusively uses the Third Person Limited in 'The Talented Mr Ripley', Highsmith effectively uses this narrative technique to allow the readers to fully understand the extensive nature of Tom Ripley's seclusion. The Third Person Limited isolates the
Consistently, throughout the novel Ripley pretends to be someone he is not; he gains the trust of Herbert Greenleaf by presenting himself as a trustworthy and responsible individual, rather than the conman he truly is. In addition, throughout the novel Ripley longs to be Dickie Greenleaf; Ripley becomes another person to gain the trust of Dickie until he ultimately kills Dickie and begins playing the role of Dickie Greenleaf. Ripley more comfortable being someone else rather than himself not only highlights Ripley's isolation from himself but the overall theme of isolation throughout the