Jaspar Jones by Craig Silvey

Within the extract from Jaspar Jones by Craig Silvey, the author presents and constructs the character of Jasper Jones as a social outcast who struggles to fit within society, portrayed as delinquent and associated with negativity and a wrongdoer. The extract also centres around the main ideas of racial prejudice and making false assumptions. The extract begins with a note of doubt and uncertainty as apprehension lingers in the scene, yet the scene is also alluring, it feels adventurous and audacious, as well as alluring, setting the tone of the novel. Jaspar is well known within his community, but used as an example by parents’ to teach their kids of where disobedience and ignorance will lead to. These traits and assumptions are shown through descriptive language and symbolism, as well as the point of view Silvey has written in. Silvey has constructed the character of Jaspar Jones though the effective use of descriptive language and imagery. Descriptive language is the images that appeal to the reader's senses, helping the reader to imagine how a subject looks or sounds, thus allowing Silvey to describe how he wants Jasper to be portrayed. For example, ‘Jasper is tall. He’s only a year older than me, but looks a lot more. He has a wiry body, but it’s defined. His shape and his muscles have already sorted themselves out.’ This example physically describes Jaspar, portraying him as mature looking and intimidating. However, the following example differs from his intimidating posture. ‘Jasper’s stride is long and strong. I walk behind, watching his calves clench in the gloom. His sureness and his presence make him easy to follow. I’m still afraid of course, but something about being in his bubble is reassuring. I trust him, straight up, though I have no reason to, and it makes me one of the few.’ In contrast to his intimidating figure, Silvey manipulates the descriptive language to make him seem trustworthy, even though not many people trust him. Silvey also hints at Jasper being misunderstood, as judging from the inclusion of detail, it seems he’s been through a hard time. Descriptive language allows the author to manipulate the reader into seeing Jasper Jones in the way he want him to be seen.

The use of a first person’s point of view allows the author to describe jasper in the eyes of Charlie. Charlie compares what he has heard about Jasper to his first impression of Jasper. For example,’ Jasper Jones has a terrible reputation in Corrigan. He’s a thief, a liar, a thug, a truant.’ This example demonstrates how using the first person’s point of view allows the author to describe the community’s views of Jasper jones. Symbolism is also a significant part of the extract. Symbolism is demonstrated within the first paragraph, ‘this is the first time I’ve ever dared to sneak away from home. The thrill of this…. already fills the moment with something portentous.’ This example demonstrates the symbolic ‘birth’ scene as it is Charlie’s first act of rebellion. Another example of symbolism within the extract is when Charlie runs back to get his shoes. ‘As I strap them on, I realise that this, the application of pansy footwear, is my first display of girlishness.’ Compared to the fact that Jasper is barefoot, the sandals make Charlie feel weak and feminine, portraying Jasper as carefree and somewhat strong and masculine. Silvey uses effectively uses the first person POV and symbolism to construct the character of Jasper Jones within the novel.

Question 2

The extract from Jasper Jones centres around the ideas of racial prejudice, stereotyping and making assumptions of Jasper and his past. Racial prejudice is a negative attitude towards a group of people based on race — not on direct knowledge or experience. Charlie mentions having heard Jasper to be described as a half- caste which is a disdainful way of referring to someone of a mixed race. The word half- caste is generally associated with racism. This could also mean that the assumptions made about Jasper is based on his race as well. Racial prejudice is not discussed in detail in the extract, but due to the book being set in the town of Corrigan in Australia, it would suggest that Jasper jones is half Aboriginal. The sixties were a time in which racism was clearly evident and also a time where aboriginal activists began emerging and fighting for their rights. For example, ‘I’d heard Jasper Jones be described as a half- caste, which I’d never really understood until I mentioned it one night at the dinner table. My father is a serene and reasonable man, but those words had him snapping down his cutlery down and glaring at me through his black thick rimmed glasses. He asked me if I understood what I just said. I didn’t. Then he softened and explained.’ The choice of words of Charlie’s father being serene and reasonable suggest he is difficult to anger, yet the word half- caste had sent him in a frenzy, suggesting racism was high in the sixties time period.