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Post by Floyd on May 21, 2010 6:31:35 GMT -5
In Chapters 1-3, what tactics does Herlong use to inadvertantly describe each member of the family? (general mannerisms, reactions to death, etc.) Analyze these tactics and make a hypothesis on the characteristics of each person. (i.e. What is Ben like? What is his father like? how do you know?)
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Post by Trevor on May 21, 2010 21:35:17 GMT -5
Throughout these chapters, several tactics are used to describe each member of the Byron family.
Perhaps the most common of these strategies is the use of dialogue, which is also the most direct method of hinting at qualities. For instance, on page three, Jim's terse response to Ben's request to pull the car over en route to Florida sums up his nature: "No, I want to get a little farther." The subtle hints revealed by the dialogue suggest that Jim is driven by an unknown event, and is certain that nothing will inhibit his determination to reach they Chrysalis in Florida. Additionally, on page sixteen, Jim's description of his proposal for a yearlong sailing escapade in the Bahamas "like Christmas in June" further exemplifies his "surefire" attitude.
Syntax also plays a role in the subtle revelations about each character. For instance, on page two, Ben's terse sentences suggest that he is trying to distance himself from a memory, a recollection of a recent, yet tragic event. Ben notes that "Once upon a time there was family. Then a boat. And then islands." Ben's deliberate exclusion of details about his experience indicate that he is troubled and upset about this memory and is more committed to forgetting it rather than remembering it.
Finally, the physical description of Jim reveals a lot about his past. For example, Jim's appearance "had completely changed," "he had wrinkles around his eyes," and "the gray in his hair shone." These physical qualities, which are most often kittenociated with general aging, can also emerge when tremendous amounts of anxiety and depression are felt, which is the case with Jim (whose wife, we learn, had been killed two months earlier in a tragic car accident).
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Post by Jamie on May 24, 2010 11:15:56 GMT -5
Herlong uses many tactics that indirectly suggest characteristics about the characters. The tactic that stood out the most to me was the father’s dialogue. For example, on page 4, the quote – “Be quiet,” Dad said. “All of you.” – demonstrates Jim’s attitude: he holds authority and is in charge. Brief quotes like this occur many times throughout chapters 1-3. Another idea suggested by the father’s dialogue is on page 16: “I’ll be your teacher. No schedules. No deadlines. For twelve whole months.”
This quote shows how after his wife’s death, Jim wants to be spontaneous and wants to get away from the reality and stresses of everyday life. It also seems that the father can be very narrow minded, as he takes no consideration of what his children may feel. Even when they objected, his mind was already set.
A second tactic is the use of a flashback. On page 7 and 8, the author uses a vivid description to explain the reactions to the mother’s death. Because the story is told in 1st person, this flashback shows Ben’s nostalgia for the past, longing to see his mother again. Most people would feel the way Ben does about his mom, so this characteristic makes him very easy to relate to.
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Post by Ms R on Jun 4, 2010 9:51:50 GMT -5
Floyd, I think you mean "indirectly," not "inadvertently" (which means unintentionally).
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Post by emil on Jun 28, 2010 8:14:52 GMT -5
yall are retarded if youre gonna sit around all day readin some dumb book
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