In the novel ‘The Denniston Rose’ written by Jenny Pattrick an important character is Rose.
Rose has a hard life. She is raised by her selfish and manipulative mother who treats Rose as more of a posession than a child. An example which shows this is how on arrival at Denniston Rose is passed out of the coal wagon "like any other parcel". Rose is often without food or even proper shelter. When her mother cooks she thinks it must be a special occasion like her birthday!!! That is how unusual it is for her to have dinner! Eva also uses Rose to blackmail Con (her biological father) into leaving Denniston with her later in the novel.
Despite this rough start at life Rose is generally a happy child. At the beginning of the novel Rose arrives at Denniston a brave and cheerful child. She was friendly and outgoing and “when she smiled it was like the sun coming out”. She had an innocence and naivety about her that every child should have. Rose would walk into a house without knocking and generally trusted other children and adults.
A number of changes occur in Rose's character due to experiences she has on Denniston. She is rejected simply by being associated with her father, whom the Scobies blame for the death of two family members. She begins to steal to feel secure and independent. Most importantly she is raped by Billy Genesis and let down by her mother who knew of his interest but refused to protect her.
Rose is taken from Denniston by her mother after the death of Billy Genesis. She eventually returns to Denniston after supposedly abandoning her mother. Rose arrives at Bella Rasmussen's, retrieves her 'treasure box' and offers to pay her own board. These are not the actions of your usual 8 year old child.
TECHNIQUES USED TO SHOW CHARACTER:
Contrast (Rose - start to end)
Symbolism (donation box) (See theme for more information)
Dialogue (quotes that show her thoughts and feelings)
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> WHY IS ROSE'S CHARACTER IMPORTANT?
Rose is important because through her experiences and the changes that occur in her character, readers learn the main theme of the novel which surrounds the issue of loss of childhood innocence. Another theme her character helps show is the responsibility of parents and communities to protect their children - if they don't they are guilty for the crime of 'silence' and just as culpable as the offender.
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> (see changes in character for more information)
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Quotes:
"Rose was handed out like any other parcel"
"when she smiled it was like the sun coming out”.
"My only single asset is Conrad's daughter, Rose who is good now and then as a lever with Con"
"Killer Jimmy's daughter"
"She sits quietly thinking about what has just happened and how grown-ups don't know everything"
"Billy Genesis made me sick"
"The life seemed to have gone out of Rose"
"Thin and pale, dark circles under her eyes"
"Rose wasn't afraid of the dark but she was afraid of Billy"
"These days Rose skipped like quicksilver when a man reached out"
"No one liked to admit that a child's voice is always harder to hear than an adults"
"I can pay for my board she says in her tight clear voice, older, much older than any child's should be"
In the novel ‘The Denniston Rose’ written by Jenny Pattrick an important character is Rose.
Rose has a hard life. She is raised by her selfish and manipulative mother who treats Rose as more of a posession than a child. An example which shows this is how on arrival at Denniston Rose is passed out of the coal wagon "like any other parcel". Rose is often without food or even proper shelter. When her mother cooks she thinks it must be a special occasion like her birthday!!! That is how unusual it is for her to have dinner! Eva also uses Rose to blackmail Con (her biological father) into leaving Denniston with her later in the novel.
Despite this rough start at life Rose is generally a happy child. At the beginning of the novel Rose arrives at Denniston a brave and cheerful child. She was friendly and outgoing and “when she smiled it was like the sun coming out”. She had an innocence and naivety about her that every child should have. Rose would walk into a house without knocking and generally trusted other children and adults.
A number of changes occur in Rose's character due to experiences she has on Denniston. She is rejected simply by being associated with her father, whom the Scobies blame for the death of two family members. She begins to steal to feel secure and independent. Most importantly she is raped by Billy Genesis and let down by her mother who knew of his interest but refused to protect her.
Rose is taken from Denniston by her mother after the death of Billy Genesis. She eventually returns to Denniston after supposedly abandoning her mother. Rose arrives at Bella Rasmussen's, retrieves her 'treasure box' and offers to pay her own board. These are not the actions of your usual 8 year old child.
TECHNIQUES USED TO SHOW CHARACTER:
- Contrast (Rose - start to end)
- Symbolism (donation box) (See theme for more information)
- Dialogue (quotes that show her thoughts and feelings)
>> WHY IS ROSE'S CHARACTER IMPORTANT?
- Rose is important because through her experiences and the changes that occur in her character, readers learn the main theme of the novel which surrounds the issue of loss of childhood innocence. Another theme her character helps show is the responsibility of parents and communities to protect their children - if they don't they are guilty for the crime of 'silence' and just as culpable as the offender.
>> (see changes in character for more information)
>