The Ace of Diamonds, Master of Big Jingles and The Paper Parcel are three New Zealand short stories written by New Zealander Owen Marshall

The Ace of Diamonds, Master of Big Jingles and The Paper Parcel are three New Zealand short stories written by New Zealander Owen Marshall. In these short stories the events that unfold around the boys contribute effectively, as they highlight what happens to the young boys when growing up. Through these events the ideas; the power of imagination, fragility of friendship, loss of innocence and the influence of adult society upon them, are seen.

One idea seen is the loss of childhood innocence. This can be seen to the young boys of "The Ace of diamonds gang". These boys are still naïve children and are unaware of growing up and changing to be apart of the adult world. But when the gang witnesses Jorgensen having sex, it causes a shockwave among them cutting their innocent gang activities short. "He's really doing her, Jesus", says Dusty. This event of witnessing Jorgenson has caused a split among the gang.

Illustration for "The Black Cat" by Aubrey Beardsl...

[Portrait of Ray Bauduc, Herschel Evans, Bob Hagga...

Oxford University vs. Switzerland hockey game. Les...

The boys from now on are forced to look at the world through an adult perspective. In "Master of Big Jingles", the friendship between Creamy and the narrator is strong and when they split because of peer and social pressure it is this, which has caused the loss of innocence. "Hubber hubber ding ding", one boy comments when he sees Ken's sister. This event shows an awakening of sexual desire amongst the group, and a shift towards adult views. The events show that the boy's views on the world have changed, and therefore they have lost their childhood innocence.

An event that happens to the young boys in "The Paper Parcel" is his mother leaves making his costume for the school for social till the last minute. This event establishes just how much adult influence has on society. "It will be a...