A Close Reading of "Jasper Jones"
Jasper Jones Close Reading
By Lindie Naudé
In this passage from the novel Jasper Jones, written by Craig Silvey, Charlie is busy filling in a hole, which his mother told him to dig and then refill after a fight, and his father finally comes to tell him he can stop. This scene results in Charlie’s ever growing anxiety over Laura’s death and Jaspers own fate. Within this scene Charlie seems to regress to a childish state with a cynical understanding of the relationships around him, showing his progression as the loss of innocence causes him to slowly mature.
The fight that broke out between Charlie and his mother before the scene explains Charlie’s exasperation and anger that adds to the childish attitude he adopts as his father comes out to speak to him. He is seen to crave the illusion of being older, of being treated as if he were older when he tells he father that he’s “‘not really a kid. I’m fourteen soon.’” (pg. 135). Despite this craving of maturity that looms on the horizon of the scene and developments through the novel, Charlie is determined to keep the juvenile defiance.
Charlie’s inner conflict to determine his attitude contrasts with his father’s demeanor. Speaking to him in a language that is reserved for ones associate or friend, or someone of equal status, he gives a balance of concern and respect for his son, who’s own guilt alludes to the idea that Charlie feels eventually guilty for his immature behavior. His father’s language becomes very persuasive and through his thoughts Charlie expresses his desire for this relationship of equality to endure, stating “I want him to keep talking to me like this. Like a contemporary. A colleague. Like I’m smart enough to keep up.” (pg. 135). Although he wishes for the relationship of understanding to continue, Charlie instead insists on acting childishly, even though he seems to resent his behavior himself, saying “It’s not fair at all. But I don’t care,” (pg. 136) speaking in a way that mostly
By Lindie Naudé
In this passage from the novel Jasper Jones, written by Craig Silvey, Charlie is busy filling in a hole, which his mother told him to dig and then refill after a fight, and his father finally comes to tell him he can stop. This scene results in Charlie’s ever growing anxiety over Laura’s death and Jaspers own fate. Within this scene Charlie seems to regress to a childish state with a cynical understanding of the relationships around him, showing his progression as the loss of innocence causes him to slowly mature.
The fight that broke out between Charlie and his mother before the scene explains Charlie’s exasperation and anger that adds to the childish attitude he adopts as his father comes out to speak to him. He is seen to crave the illusion of being older, of being treated as if he were older when he tells he father that he’s “‘not really a kid. I’m fourteen soon.’” (pg. 135). Despite this craving of maturity that looms on the horizon of the scene and developments through the novel, Charlie is determined to keep the juvenile defiance.
Charlie’s inner conflict to determine his attitude contrasts with his father’s demeanor. Speaking to him in a language that is reserved for ones associate or friend, or someone of equal status, he gives a balance of concern and respect for his son, who’s own guilt alludes to the idea that Charlie feels eventually guilty for his immature behavior. His father’s language becomes very persuasive and through his thoughts Charlie expresses his desire for this relationship of equality to endure, stating “I want him to keep talking to me like this. Like a contemporary. A colleague. Like I’m smart enough to keep up.” (pg. 135). Although he wishes for the relationship of understanding to continue, Charlie instead insists on acting childishly, even though he seems to resent his behavior himself, saying “It’s not fair at all. But I don’t care,” (pg. 136) speaking in a way that mostly