Too much responsibility at a young age can be destructive
The importance of knowing who you are and where you come from
TECHNIQUES WHICH SHOW THEME INCLUDE:
Contrast and conflict between characters
Dialogue
Twist
Contrast and Conflict:
The main contrast which shows theme in the novel is between Roz and Dawn. This contrast shows why Roz doesn't feel like she fits into her family. It also shows how important it is to know who your family is and where you come from.
Another contrast is between Roz at the start of the novel and Roz at the end of the novel. She becomes much more confident and begins to confront her issues rather than hide or run away from them. This shows that she has learnt that running away does not solve your problems
Dialogue
Dialogue is a great technique used to show theme. What the characters say, particularly Roz helps show the theme of the importance of knowing who you are and where you come from, that too much responsibility at a young age can be destructive, and that running away does not solve your problems.
"Not knowing is like not knowing half of myself. I'm incomplete"
"We were starting to be bad for each other. We needed each other too much"
"What I didn't know then was that you can't escape from what is inside your head"
Twist
A twist is used at the end of the novel when Roz unexpectedly decides to stay with Sylvia. This twist creates suspense and tension as readers do not understand why she has made this decision. As Roz explains herself readers learn just how much she has grown and changed through her experiences at Pukerua Bay. This twist at the end helps show all of the above themes.
(see other sections for more detail on these techniques)
The main themes in this novel include:
TECHNIQUES WHICH SHOW THEME INCLUDE:
Contrast and Conflict:
The main contrast which shows theme in the novel is between Roz and Dawn. This contrast shows why Roz doesn't feel like she fits into her family. It also shows how important it is to know who your family is and where you come from.
Another contrast is between Roz at the start of the novel and Roz at the end of the novel. She becomes much more confident and begins to confront her issues rather than hide or run away from them. This shows that she has learnt that running away does not solve your problems
Dialogue
Dialogue is a great technique used to show theme. What the characters say, particularly Roz helps show the theme of the importance of knowing who you are and where you come from, that too much responsibility at a young age can be destructive, and that running away does not solve your problems.
Twist
A twist is used at the end of the novel when Roz unexpectedly decides to stay with Sylvia. This twist creates suspense and tension as readers do not understand why she has made this decision. As Roz explains herself readers learn just how much she has grown and changed through her experiences at Pukerua Bay. This twist at the end helps show all of the above themes.
(see other sections for more detail on these techniques)