Discuss one of the major themes presented in Destroying Avalon. How does the author encourage the reader to sympathise/empathise with certain characters? Your essay consider the following: - knowledge of narrative elements: * Characterisation * Point of View * Language * Plot - Understanding of themes
Themes: - Bullying - Homosexuality - family - High school/ friendships - Youth suicide/ self-harm/ mental harm - Self-perception - Social media
Cyber bullying: *Attitudes: - Cowardly - Pointless - Dislike - Painful - Endless - Anxiety
*Values: -Friendship -Trust -Honesty -Reliability -Happiness -Love -Security -Equality -Safety -Protection -Freedom -> of voice/opinion
Speech/ thoughts | Action | Appearance | Other |
. "Poor Marshall. I hadn't known him at all, and it was killing me. How could I have thought we were best friends and not know how deeply unhappy he was? Surely I could have done something." (241) . "I couldn't stop the what ifs." (241) "I guess I was looking for Dragon Girl's profile. She was the one who'd started it all. I knew it was Alice." "Mum, the problem solver, would sit down and analyse the situation. Dad, the sensitive new age guy, would want to talk about my feelings. And then they'd both be straight up the school having meetings with the principals and teachers, even worse the students. I shuddered at the thought: If these people were confronted, my life wouldn't be worth living. . "I guess I was looking for Dragon Girl's profile. She was the one who'd started it all. I knew it was Alice." (73) "Marshall died last night. Marshall died last night. MARSHALL DIED LAST NIGHT." (184) | "Around them everyone was chatting and Alice and Julie joined in straight away. The girls in particular seemed to want their attention. There was a spare seat behind them but I... |