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  • Essay / Xan Meo's Transformation in The Yellow Dog

    People can be self-centered and immature, however, the crisis of certain life events helps them shape their personality. Everyone in life goes through radically life-changing events, such as marriage, starting college, or traumatic events like the loss of a loved one. The unfolding of these events, whether exciting or unpleasant, has a considerable impact on the person. These events can make people stronger, change their beliefs and their approach to life. This compelling theme is also to the fore in the novel Yellow Dog by Martin Amis. Xan, the protagonist of the novel Yellow Dog, focuses entirely on his career as a writer and actor as opposed to his wife, Pearl. Later, he remarries an independent woman and realizes the true importance of family through her and certain circumstances. Additionally, Xan tries to overcome every obstacle he faces, as it makes his relationship with Russia vulnerable. The novel describes how Xan Meo, an unstable character, moves from a career centered on a caring husband and father as he weathers the crisis of certain events that reveal the true meaning of family and life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayXan Meo enjoys immense fame as an actor and writer. Because of this importance, he begins to become more ignorant towards his wife, Pearl, and his children. Xan begins to view Pearl as a caretaker rather than his wife. When their relationship reaches a point where Xan doesn't like Pearl or their sons, Pearl becomes upset and tells him, “He knew her, on and off, from childhood; and the lost world of their marriage was regressive or animal or even prehistoric – a land of lizards” (Amis 66). She shares her emotional thoughts on the end of their twelve-year relationship due to his carefree attitude towards her family. Realizing the importance of his wife and children, Xan tries to give them some attention, but it is too late. The relationship between Xan and Pearl had become so weak that “[b]oth boys were on their knees begging their parents to separate” (Friends 66). Over the years of separation, arguments and silence between adults have weakened Xan's relationship with his sons. Due to the loneliness of divorce, he begins to regret his hasty attitude towards his family and the decision to divorce. His bad actions and negligence cause him distress and he begins to reminisce about the people who mattered in life, craving family, relationships and love. Additionally, a bold and independent female figure, Russia, in Xan's life brings him closer to his family. After a few months of depression and loneliness, Xan decides to marry an independent and bold woman named Russia. Russia completely reshapes Xan's lifestyle, both professionally and personally. She encourages him to spend time with their two daughters, Sophie and Billie. For example, he would give them a bath on weekends and sometimes read them stories before going to bed. Essentially, Russia becomes a role model for Xan because she sets a great example for a working mother balancing her life between work and home. Russia is a much more independent and stable person than Xan's ex-wife, Pearl. Proud husband of Russia, Xan usually describes himself as “a fifty-fifty parent, a tender and punctual lover, an excellent provider, an amusing companion, a versatile and uninhibited handyman” (Friends 5). Russia has a significant impact on Xan's life, making him a father.