The citadel
The symbol of the citadel is central to the book. It symbolizes ideals – in Manson’s case medical integrity – which are enclosed in a castle on a hill. Manson fights against great odds to free himself from materialistic temptation, and climb that hill
At the end of the book we are left with the sense that, with Denny and Hope at his side, Manson will scale the walls of the citadel to realize his ideals
The main idea
A major theme in The Citadel concerns the inroads that materialism makes upon idealism. Cronin suggests that idealism can succeed if one is resolute
In this book, Andrew Manson’s idealism is chipped away bit by bit until he can no longer recognize himself. His wife, Christine, retains most of her idealism and wonders what has happened to the man she married.
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