Jasper Jones Study Guide

Chapter Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Craig Silvey engages us with Jasper Jones in order to convey a certain moral message in hope to make us stop and think. No one in this novel is truly accepted into the community, which tells me as the responder, that in order for this society to succeed differences need to be tossed aside. Jasper Jones is a credible recollection of the injustice, racism and social exclusion that exists in the Australian society. It also tackles growing up, first love, family unity, and a sense of belonging in a community.

After having a thorough read of the novel ‘Jasper Jones’ by Craig Silvey, I have come to understand the powerful effects of using written codes and conventions in novels. Silvey’s impressive piece of literature was carefully constructed through techniques such as characterization, socio-cultural context, themes and intertexuality. By doing this, Silvey was accredited for convincing the readers, appealing to their emotions and manipulating their beliefs and values to accept or agree with his opinions on the issue covered in the novel.

Jackie plays a pivotal role in helping Thomas through this gruelling challenge by helping him understand that Charlie’s actions are not intentional and that he would always behave in ways that are considered abnormal. Jackie goes beyond providing simple moral support by taking care of Charlie and standing up against those who try to bully him. She

Silvey is expressing this theme through the establishment of characters and plot. His message is that the Law and what seems morally right, doesn’t necessarily uphold justice. Jasper Jones has a bad reputation in Corrigan and after his discovery of Laura’s body, Charlie argues that they should go to the police but Jasper knows that the rule of law doesn’t apply to him. He is the town’s scapegoat when an incident occurs and says, “We can’t tell anyone. Especially the Police… they are gonna say it was me.” (page 13). When the disappearance of Laura becomes public, Jasper is locked up and bashed by her father the “Shire President”. Throughout the novel Pete Wishart is always referred to by this title. He is supposed to be a public figure and role model but instead he’s an abusive drunk that impregnated his daughter and manhandled a child. This misconduct shows how power can be misused and the double standards that exist in society. The myth of ‘Mad Jack Lionel’ burdened the town of Corrigan. Rumours were spread concerning his involvement with the death of Rosie Jones and he was Jaspers first suspicion as to what had happened to Laura. “The lies and suppositions were just heaped upon the stack” (page 240). He had been wrongfully accused and blamed for things he did not do and his town turned its back on him. The unjust treatment of Jasper and Jack Lionel shows that people are so quick to judge and make assumptions about others without knowing a thing about them. It

Charlie Bucktin learns a great deal about himself, others, Corrigan and important lessons that will help him live a better life in Jasper Jones. In the novel, Charlie goes through some experiences that teach him some of life’s great lessons. In particular he comes to learn a great deal about trust, love, facing and overcoming fear, role models and racial prejudice.

Although Jack admits that Susie has left, he shifts his attention to another desire, the desire to bring her death to justice through an unlawful path. “‘We’ve just built a tent,” Mr.Harvey said. ‘The neighbors saw us. We’re friends now’ ‘You know something,” my father said. (57). Jack, like everyone else has flaws and his stubbornness leads him to doing something he would not normally do. His unextinguishable passion to find Susie’s murderer leads him to coincidently believe that Mr.Harvey is Susie’s killer. However Mr.Harvey is the murderer of Susie, the evidence shown to Jack and the police show no evidence that Mr.Harvey committed the murder, which further proves that Jack is chasing a blank slate. Jack needs a scapegoat for his grief and chooses to find revenge in unproven subjects. “‘A father’s suspicion’ she began. ‘Is as powerful as a mother’s intuition” (87) says Jack. Once again Jack is trying to find a reason to make his illogical suspicion logical. Jack refuses to believe that Susie’s death occurred without a killer. He puts himself in denial and by doing so he will grieve forever. Jack’s perpetual grief will go on as long he finds things to place guilt on. Furthermore Sebold shows that rage and denial can be used to deal with the death of a loved one.

The nineteen-chapter, two part book starts off with a brief introduction. This introduction sets up the first part of the book, where the

At the end of the story, the grandmother only pleads for her life and never for her son Bailey or his family. “You wouldn’t shoot a lady, would you?” (O’Connor 192).The mother never showed no remorse of her son’s death even after the other two men came back with Bailey’s shirt and then took his wife and daughter. She never pleaded for the men to stop and spare their lives. The daughter June Starr selfish characters are observed when she believes her way of living is right by stating to Red Sammy’s wife “I wouldn’t live in a broken-down place like this for a million bucks! (O’Connor 189). For a very young girl she carried an arrogant attitude that was never fixed by her parents.

* ‘This late, the architecture is desolate and reached of colour’’ symbolic, suggests of life having been washed out in the town-devoid of colour.

The reason as to why Charlie chose to run for a dangerous criminal, was to provide enough money that could “carry [Ma and Jack] out of the slums for good”. “So, for boys like me, when good fortune came knocking on your door, you had little choice but to grab it by the scruff of the neck and keep your trap firmly shut”. This significant quote demonstrates not only the fact that how crucial the opportunities are for boys like Charlie , but it is also evidence suggesting that Charlie was trapped in the midst of desperate circumstances. Nonetheless, Charlie’s decision to run for Squizzy was entirely selfless, given the fact that it got to the point where Charlie’s school were paid to send fake grades to Ma in order for Charlie to run and earn some “extra shillings or two” to support Ma and Jack, who were constantly in the freezing cold. Therefore, it is undeniable that Charlie’s decision on running for Squizzy Taylor was plainly a selfless act, due to the fact that Charlie was willing to give up education and commit himself to run for Squizzy, in order to get Ma and Jack out of the slums for

The novel Jasper Jones written by Craig Silvey has many connections and similarities to the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. The novel Jasper Jones leaves the reader wondering whether Silvey intentionally wrote his novel to have so many connections to the classic, and if so what was the purpose? The novels share connections between characters, key ideas/themes and orientation of the novel.

In the novel Jasper Jones, Craig Silvey provides us the audience an insight into the characters’ pursuit of truth by exploring overarching ideas such as Fear, Racism and Scapegoating and linking them with character dialogue as well as narrator descriptions. The main truth presented by Craig Silvey is the investigation of Laura Wishart’s death, by pursuing this truth Charlie uncovers truths about his family and town. I believe that by using these overarching ideas, silver is able to offer us a deep insight into the characters’ pursuit of truth.

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey is a coming of age story that filled with suspense and mystery keeping us captivated till the end. Set in the 1960’s in an old mining town if Corrigan, where everyone knows one another. I certainly agree with weartholdcoat’s opinions on the novel, it’s a great thrilling read that keeps you completely hooked. Silvey uses various techniques like narrative and language conventions, theme and Australian context to achieve such a captivating finish.

The character of the mother executes the tell-tale signs of counterfeit happiness when she tells the murderous story of the narrator’s father’s brother. “‘Oh honey,’ she said, ‘there’s a lot that you don’t know. But you are going to find out’” (36).