Elizabeth Vlasyuk
Category A - Prompt C
14 February 2017
The first chapter starts with Isaac stating:
"Maybe you have never read a book written by a ghost before. I am a ghost. I am not a ghost when this book begins, so you have to pay very close attention. I should tell you something else. I see things before they happen. You are probably thinking, 'I wish I could see things before they happen.' Be careful what you wish for" (1).
This line of foreshadowing impacts the beginning passage by highlighting the aspects of Isaac's life that he will be leaving behind. In this chapter, Isaac speaks of the good in his life, talks about his family, his dog, his everyday life. But then, he reveals that he senses something is wrong, something bad is going to happen.
This leads us to the overall text. The passage above states that Isaac is a ghost while writing this book, which leads us to wonder how he dies. What exactly happens? The ominous feeling that bad is looming ahead becomes apparent and we, as readers, become anxious over Isaac's plight. We sympathize with his journey, his hardships, his worries. We live through him, the darkness consuming us when things we don't understand happen. However, looking further, as we come to the end of the book, we see that Isaac becoming a ghost represents spiritual endurance. It preserves the memory of our loved ones, and helps us to move on and heal.
Hi Liz,
ReplyDeleteYou are right to point out that this opening line of foreshadowing casts a tone over the whole text. I would like to see you be more specific and detailed about how this foreshadowing affects the text as a whole. When you are looking at post length, leave the direct quotes out of consideration and expand on your own words. Something to consider is that we have now read a book by a historical child whom we know dies in adolescence, a book narrated by death, and this one, narrated by a ghost. How are these texts similar or different? How does Isaac's bold and simple opening claim create a different mood or tone than Death opening The Book Thief with foreshadowing? I'd like to see more of your analysis.