Literary Devices in I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak - Book Report/Review Example

Literary Devices in “I Am the Messenger” by Markus Zusak Symbolism CD: For a moment, it feels like everything stops to watch as I reach in and pull out an old playing card. It’s the Ace of Diamond. In the echoes of light in my lounge room, I let my fingers hold the card gently, as if it might break or crease in my hands. Three addresses are written on it in the same writing as on the envelope. I read them slowly, watchfully. There’s an eeriness slipping over my hands. It makes its way inside me and travels, quietly gnawing at my thoughts. Symbol: the ace of diamond CM: Looking at the symbolism used in the book, the author tries to explore the significance of Ed Kennedy in helping the world created around him. It is clear in the entire novel that cards have been used to send out messages that lead Ed to three important people that require his help. The ace of diamond is symbolic of the task ahead of Ed. CD: I know. It has to be done. I tear the envelope open and the Ace of Clubs falls out, with a letter. (Page 90) CM: This symbol is accompanied by the ace of spades in which it implies that Ed has to use his intelligence and sober mind to unveil which people have to be helped out. It is notable that Ed should save a lady who is constantly raped by her husband every night. This is true based on ace of hearts indicative of that emotional attachment between individuals who are perceived as lovers. In addition, he should assist an old lady that is lonely and ultimately a teenage girl to take control of her life. This is all meant to attain confidence in female characters within the novel. CD: Fear is the street. Fear is every step. The darkness grows heavier on the road and I begin. To run. My first instinct tells me to go straight to Audrey’s. (Page 222) CM: The symbol of darkness has been used by the author bring out how hard the situations that Ed is faced with are. The protagonist is faced with conflicting situations and therefore left in dilemma on what action is most appropriate. Of course Ed should hurry up to save his friends that are in problems: Marv and Richie. At the same time, Audrey of whom Ed loves is in a difficult situation. Literary Allusion CD: Bernie clicks into business straightaway. “Roman Holiday I have, but the other two I don’t.” He inundates me with facts. “Roman Holiday is widely considered one of the best movies starring Gregory Peck, made in 1953 and directed by William Wyler, of Ben-Hur fame. It was filmed with breathtaking beauty in Rome and was famous for the glorious performance of Audrey Hepburn, who Peck insisted have equal billing. He claimed that if she didn’t, he would be a laughingstock—such was the strength of her performance. This was backed up when she pocketed an Oscar for her troubles…. (Page 221-222)” CM: As seen in the above quotation, it is evident that the book has utilized literary allusion in which movie titles help to make reference to certain names. These names eventually prove imperative in the development of the plot as well as thematic revelation in the novel. The reader realizes that characters starring in the movie hold name like Audrey. Ed has particularly struggle to love Audrey who does not love him back following disillusionments in her previous love life. It is therefore upon Ed to help Audrey gain confidence and self-acceptance. CD: He brings back the thick book and offers it to me. First up, Cat Ballou. I read aloud as soon as I find the page. (Page 221) CM: Allusion has been made on the movie Cat Ballou which stars Lee Marvin as the main character. This has been used as an eye-opener to Ed to realize that the ace of hearts has been sent to him so that he can save is closest friend Marv who is in a problem. Allusion has as well been utilized in this case to have the reader use wit in unveiling philosophical ideas that surround the novel. CD: I haven’t written a song of Dylan proportions yet, or started painting my first attempt at surrealism, and I doubt I could start a revolution if I tried—because apart from everything else, I’m a bit of an unfit bastard, though I’m lanky and lean. Just weak, too. (Page 17) CM: In this case, the author makes reference to the writings of Dylan as well as surrealism painting. This has been particularly done to bring the reader into focus that Ed considers himself a failure in as much as he has a lot of dreams ahead. His wish is to win the love of Audrey in which case he is in dilemma on which way he should accomplish his mission. In his mind, he wishes to use the best song crafted and the same time a painting of his personal imaginations. Hyperbole CD: Old Marv’s at the end of his tether, or his wit’s end. Whatever you want to call it-he’s got the shits something terrible. (pg 5) CM: This is one of the most prominent styles that Markus has used in the delivery of his message to the readers. Hyperbole has been revealed through language use. A close study at the novel indicates that words really matter to him. The novel has engaged hyperbole through the use of words that are sharp, blunt, and primarily brutal and at the same time Spartan in meaning and intention. This impression has been built through description that takes a gradual development. CD: The breeze looks away – almost embarrassed at having watched – and I’m left there alone.’(p 27) CM: On the other hand, he has achieved in giving human attributes to inanimate objects; personification, which heightens the exaggeration engraved in the novel. The author has used this kind of description to give a stronger perception of his characters to the readers. Hyperbole similarly has been utilized to drive the reader into a critical reader so that he or she unveils deeper meaning s in words, symbols and metaphors used in the text. CD: Something like “Taxi Driver Turns to Hero” would be nice, but they’ll probably print something like “Local Deadbeat Makes Good.” Marv will get a good laugh out of that one. (Page 12) CM: The above statements in bold have been exaggerated to indicate how much insensitive the media can be in really life situations. The reader understands well that Ed did not find it a big issue to help in capturing the bank robber. His access to the gun was actually a contribution from the robber’s negligence. On the contrary, the media could take it as a very imperative matter and point out Ed as a hero. In addition, Ed expresses the lack of confidence in his personal ability when he replaces the hero headline with “Local Deadbeat Makes Good”. Satire CD: I suppose he’ll die soon. I’m expecting it, like you do for a dog that’s seventeen. There’s no way to know how I’ll react. He’ll have faced his own placid death and slipped without a sound inside himself. Mostly, I imagine I’ll crouch there at the door, fall onto him, and cry hard into the stench of his fur. I’ll wait for him to wake up, but he won’t. I’ll bury him. I’ll carry him outside, feeling his warmth turn to cold as the horizon frays and falls down in my backyard. For now, though, he’s okay. I can see him breathing. He just smells like he’s dead (Page 16). CM: The irony is brought out through the sentence, “He just smells like he’s dead”. Satire has been used by Markus to convey humor within his piece of work. an analysis of this statement brings out that resentful attitude. Yet, the description given early by Ed about his dog indicates that intimate relationship. Despite of Doorman’s bad smell, Ed is obliged to handle him the best way possible as far as spraying him with deodorants to reduce the odor. Emotional intimacy is central to this paradox for the reader to accept that some things matter in people’s lives regardless of their physical state. Satire has therefore been used to transform the readers’ perception on life issues. CD: Getting back to Audrey, though, I should really feel complimented that she won’t even touch me because she likes me more than anyone else. It makes perfect sense, really, doesn’t it? (Page 18) CM: The statement above brings out a clear irony in the way Audrey feels for Ed. This has been used to reveal to the reader how Ed is unsure of the feelings that Audrey has towards him. According to Ed, Audrey loves him so much that she cannot touch him. This is not what is expected since any two individuals in love with each other will always strive to keep as close as possible. CD: The judge greets me. “Well, I see you dressed up for the occasion, Mr. Kennedy.” I look down at myself. “Thank you.” (Page 29) CM: The satire has been used in the manner in which Ed dresses up to appear before the court as a witness. It is clear to the reader that this is made out of sarcasm since in the first place, Ed is dressed in his work uniform that made him mistaken and got held up for sometime outside. The judge in fact goes ahead to insinuate that Ed should have appeared more decent yet he is appreciating him. Tone CD: “He just smells like he’s dead (Page 16)”. CM: Judgment of the tone revealed in the novel may be one of the most difficult issues to discuss since the book is thought provoking. In the first place, the author seems to make us empathize with Ed Kennedy the same way Ed feels for himself. Ed is actually lost, ambivalent and somewhat pathetic. The tone is mostly humorous as most of descriptions provided by the protagonist are exaggerated and satirical in a way. The dog is described in the worst state yet the protagonist feels tied to it. CD: Who would send me something like this? I ask myself. What have I done to get an old playing card in my letter box with strange addresses scrawled on it? I go back in and sit at the kitchen table. I try to work out what’s happening and who has sent me what could be a piece of destiny in the mail. (Page 21) CM: On the contrary, the tone may be suspenseful based on the fact that ace card messages are received from an unknown source. It is left at the mercy of Ed to establish the kind of message and the ultimate course of action. CD: “Yeah…yeah, of course.” 45 Edgar Street…13 Harrison Avenue…6 Macedoni Street… CM: Better still, it can be said that the tone is well explored. There is that cruelty of a suburban marriage as well as loneliness of an individual’s early life to the deep secrets kept close to the heart. This brings out the tone of redemption and the empathetic tone, personal understanding and worth. Work Cited: Zusak, M. I Am the Messenger. New York: Random House Childrens Books, 2006 Read More