Decoding Hidden Misconduct of a Child
Decoding Hidden Misconduct of a Child
Jasmine Phillip
ENG3U
Mrs. Robinson
19 March, 2014 In “The Child Who Walks Backwards”, Lorna Crozier conveys a case of neglect and child abuse, to see the harsh truth of this one needs to focus on what they witness and look focus on a deeper meaning in what they are told. The author conveys this idea through the use of structure and from, figurative language and character. Right of the bat the author uses specific wording to make the reader begin to question the neighbour. “My next-door neighbour tells me.” (Crozier, 1) the use of the words “tells me” (1) creates a sense of distrust in the line to come. These words create a stronger feeling rather than using the word says. It makes the reader wonder if the neighbour is being completely truthful or not. The constant concept of the child being clumsy throughout the text also begins to make the reader question what is really going on. In every stanza there are mentions of various injuries to the child “Trips.” (13), “Cracks.” (13), “Smacks.” (14), “Burns.” (16) the vast injuries that accumulate hint at abuse and neglect. The injuries get progressively worse throughout each stanza. “The casts that hold his small bones.” (24) the mother should be teaching her child to be more safe and precautious but because she is neglecting him the child's injuries become more severe. The author uses figurative language in the mothers speech to make it appear as though she is claiming things are out to get the child as a way of covering up the truth. “Cupboard corners and doorknobs have pounded their shapes / into his face.” (5) the personifications used makes it appear as though the house is deliberately trying to injure her soon, when in reality that is not the case. “Sparks burn stars in his skin.” (22) again giving human qualities to non-living things are used as explanation for injuries that only a person could create. “Sits and
Jasmine Phillip
ENG3U
Mrs. Robinson
19 March, 2014 In “The Child Who Walks Backwards”, Lorna Crozier conveys a case of neglect and child abuse, to see the harsh truth of this one needs to focus on what they witness and look focus on a deeper meaning in what they are told. The author conveys this idea through the use of structure and from, figurative language and character. Right of the bat the author uses specific wording to make the reader begin to question the neighbour. “My next-door neighbour tells me.” (Crozier, 1) the use of the words “tells me” (1) creates a sense of distrust in the line to come. These words create a stronger feeling rather than using the word says. It makes the reader wonder if the neighbour is being completely truthful or not. The constant concept of the child being clumsy throughout the text also begins to make the reader question what is really going on. In every stanza there are mentions of various injuries to the child “Trips.” (13), “Cracks.” (13), “Smacks.” (14), “Burns.” (16) the vast injuries that accumulate hint at abuse and neglect. The injuries get progressively worse throughout each stanza. “The casts that hold his small bones.” (24) the mother should be teaching her child to be more safe and precautious but because she is neglecting him the child's injuries become more severe. The author uses figurative language in the mothers speech to make it appear as though she is claiming things are out to get the child as a way of covering up the truth. “Cupboard corners and doorknobs have pounded their shapes / into his face.” (5) the personifications used makes it appear as though the house is deliberately trying to injure her soon, when in reality that is not the case. “Sparks burn stars in his skin.” (22) again giving human qualities to non-living things are used as explanation for injuries that only a person could create. “Sits and