Thematic Analysis of Solomon Hailemariam’s Novel entitled ‘The Young Crusader’

This study focused on thematic analysis of Solomon Hailemariam's novel "The Young Crusader" which was published in 2011. This research was conducted in 2014's second edition of the novel. The main objective of the study is to analyze the major and minor themes of the novel. To achieve this objective, the researchers used the textual analysis approach and relied on the framework of the formalistic approach. Using the above methodology and framework, the researchers identified five major themes and two minor themes of the novel. The major themes include romantic love for success, the sympathy of love feeling, passion for justice, a friendship of young people as well as a couple, vice and virtue of life, and minor themes the concept of religion and honesty of young boy. These themes are reflected through the elements of fiction like plot, characters, setting, etc. Finally, the researchers concluded the themes of the novel indirectly related to the title of the novel "The Young Crusader" which is about fighting corruption in the country. The novel is allegorically focusing on fighting corruption by representing different issues. Keywords: The young crusader, young, novel, major, minor, themes, literature, love, passion DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/63-03 Publication date: December 31st 201