The central idea that Anna Quindlen focuses in her essay “Homeless” is that of the importance of a home and its importance in one’s life. How a person feels when he losses his home and has to relocate to some sheltered place have a great significance in the essay. She also lays emphasis on the importance of memories and the tangible things which may get lost in the future. Her emphasis is not just on the broad picture of having or not having a home rather a detailed picture of it. Home for her signifies a place which is symbolic of stability, certainty and predictability which marks a person’s freedom and importance in his own hometown.
The identity of Americans can be seen closely linked with that of the central idea of the essay. As the Americans had to struggle to gain their own ‘home’ in their own motherland so is the main idea of the essay. What a ‘home’ is for a homeless person and his desire to attain his home and place back is the same issue which the Americans are still facing today.
