There’s a certain feeling associated with finishing the last line of a book. For many readers, the feeling can be cathartic and satisfying. But, if you’re a book lover and a music lover, there always seems to be something missing on the last page. In the music lover’s case– a theme song.
Books that most obviously need theme songs are well known. Their timeless ability to represent universal themes shouldn’t be remembered in silence. Instead, they should be remembered with an anthem that fits the novel’s most valuable lessons. Here are a few examples.
The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield wasn’t the first to experience the hardships associated with adolescence, and he certainly won’t be the last. One female artist who knows about growing up is Lorde. Her song “Ribs” is the perfect accomplice to this novel. She writes about desiring to escape growing up after discovering life is not what it seems, “The minds we had/It's not enough to feel the lack/I want 'em back.”
Salinger creates the same emotions with Holden by isolating him in the final chapters of the novel. Both Lorde and Salinger remind us that loss of innocence is an integral part of life and must be recognized to reach adulthood.
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
There’s a gut wrenching feeling we’re all probably familiar with as we reach our early to mid-twenties—loving someone that won’t love you back. The main character of Hemingway’s first novel, Jake Barnes, knows this better than anyone. “All I Want” by the indie rock quartet Kodaline summarizes Jake’s feelings accurately. When Jake realizes his unrequited love, but continues debate vying for her affection, these lyrics fit perfectly: “But if you loved me, why’d you leave me?” The last line of the song reads, “I’ll find somebody,” and reminds us unrequited lovers that everything happens for a reason, even if our crush ran away with a bullfighter.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
It’s not every day we wake up as a giant cockroach, but when we do Kafka reminds us that this type of absurdity is part of the human condition. Modest Mouse does the same in their song, “Parting of the Sensory,” that compares the human experience to a boat in which we are all metaphysical passengers. Kafka would agree that although the ship will eventually sink, we shouldn’t rely on that knowledge to live our lives, and nothing is certain.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A required reading for most middle schoolers, this famous novel poses questions regarding children morality and education. Are we as society teaching children to be morally conscious? Are we teaching children real life skills like sympathy and patience? The White Stripes would answer no. Their song, “Black Math,” attacks the education system. Jack and Meg White claim that schools essentially teach children things they need to know for the real world. “Listen master can you answer a question?/Is it the brain or the fingers that you’re teaching a lesson?” Further, The White Stripes want to know, do teachers know what they’re teaching? And if so, are they really teaching it to better us?
Perks Of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Another deeply personal coming of age novel that explains the interrelationship of mental illness and growing up. Protagonist Charlie struggles with his abusive childhood, but eventually grows into a somewhat comfortable young adult before leaving for college. Noah and the Whale’s song, “Blue Skies are Coming,” fits Charlie’s feelings of wanting to be happy, but not quite knowing how to reach complete happiness. “Blue skies are coming/But I know that it’s hard,” make up the chorus, and it’s a gentle reminder that if things aren’t OK right now, they will be in the end.
Logan Moore is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Let Logan know by tweeting her at @loganr_moore.
