Melina Marchetta Explores the Idea of Changing Perspectives Through Her Characters in 'Looking for Alibrandi'. How Does She Achieve This?

Through a qualitative comparative literature analysis, this research will look into the influence that Reyna Grande’s personal experience depicted on her memoir influences her novel Across a Hundred Mountains while paying close attention to the role that liminality plays on the identity construction of both Grande and her fictional character

In the book Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, one of the main characters, Florian, changes throughout the book due to the challenges he faces that shape him as a character.

Marchetta also uses Josie to show not emotion change but external change. John Barton's death was a change in Josie's life that she had no control of. The journal style narrative allows the reader to see Josie's changing perspective of John as the novel progresses. Before John's death Josie believes john has it all as he is "school captain… greatest debater… good looking. Popular" and according to Josie he is "the love of my life." After his death the first person narrative allows the reader to see Josie's emotions. At first she is devastated and cannot under stand why someone who "never had any problems" would commit suicide. But after recovering from the shock of John's death, Josie is able to see beyond her anger and understand John's feeling of isolation. The journal style reflection also allows the reader to see Josie's changed perspective of John, as she realises " that wealth and social status don't equal happiness".

Josie's father, Michael Andretti has an important contribution to Josie's changing perspectives. At first meeting he was not a great priority to Josie as she did not really think about him. When Josie's mother tells her about Michael Andrettie's arrival, she reacts to the issue calmly as she says "It's not a big deal, we can handle it". Her mother is worried and nervous and Josie is not really concerned at the time. Josie later says sarcastically that "…This year is just starting off perfectly…You know I never thought for a second that I'll actually meet my father, they all seem pretty useless to me". This is said at the school gate where the focus is on the fathers who drop their daughters at school. Josie is confused and is angry as she says "At St. Martha's, its all about money, prestige, and what your father does for living". This creates contrast between what is important at her school and what Josie has in her life. She is at first angry at her father and she's annoyed to see him get close to the family. She ironically says "Who does he think he is? Part of the family?" Josie confronts her father about her existence; she wants him to take notice of her. She says "be rude, or be angry but don't pretend I'm not here", her tone of speech is very discourteous and through this she expresses her feelings very clearly. The

The development of characters transpire as a result of significant events in their lives. Events such as learning a new skill have the ability to transform a character’s life. Estrella in Helena Maria Viramontes’ novel Under the Feet of Jesus flourishes into an individual who once got upset over skills she did not have and was upset at the process of learning, but now understands how vital education is. Estrella was infuriated by her lack of understanding about the Perfecto’s tools and the letters on the chalkboard. She was especially agitated when the educators would not give her the answer right away The selection of detail shows the connection between two things she overcame. The tone and figurative language shows more detail about Estrella’s transformation.

Michael was improving his grades and now able to play on the football team, in celebration the Tuohy family went to diner. As they arrived Leah Anne had to run a quick errand to the Library and they found an old book that was read to the children when they were younger. After the dinner and went home Leah Anne read that book "Ferdinand the bold" to both S.J. and Michael in a heartwarming bond with the daughter over behind the door listening carefully and cherishing and old time story that was told to her. Later Leah Anne was in bed with her husband expressing her happiness and that it was because of Michael. She goes on to talk about how she influenced by the change in michael that she wants to have charities for people in Michael's condition. Slowly they wander off into sexual intercourse showing that as well as Leah Anne's responsibilities she still has time to express her inner feelings with her husband.

Michael struggles making friends. one way he does is in paragraph 21-28 it says Michael hadn’t made any friends the teachers barely notice him. This is probably because his parents dead and he is being quiet in class. But one day Michael went to the pet store looking for something small and living and hermit crabs where a dollar. When Michael got home he showed the hermit crab to Aunt Esther. “Where is he” says Aunt Esther. Then some eyes poke out of a shell.

When writing a story, authors have to worry about ways to add tension to the conflict. To add to this aspect of a story, authors can make a twist in the plot, use more sensory detail, or introduce new characters. In Diana Lopez’s realistic fiction, “Confetti Girl,” and Jennifer Cervantes’s, “Tortilla Sun,” both the narrators have different perspectives from their parents. In the stories,”Confetti Girl,” and ,”Tortilla Sun,” the fact that the narrators have different perspectives from their parents adds tension to the conflicts by having characters disagree on a certain topic.

When they pulled up to Mia's house Erik walked her the door and kissed her goodbye. Mia walked into a dark as the house not being able to see anything. As she turned around she saw her mother turn on the lamp. "Mom you frightened me, Mia said." "Where have you been young lady, Sheila asked?" "I was out with dad and the others, she responded. Right then and there Mia saw something different in her mom that she never saw before. She knew that her mom was a different person than who she was

A person’s attitude changes frequently, especially when they are considering to do something good or bad. Jean Muir, in the book Behind a Mask; or, a Women’s Power by Louisa May Alcott, has a recurrent attitude change. Muir’s attitude changes talking to both men and women, but depending on who they are and what rank they are in the family.

The strongly placed point of view creates a characteristic voice in the story. The voice ultimately reminds one of a ‘stream of consciousness’-technique, which influences the story in general. The element of changing appellations stresses how the two kinds of processes are going on in the story; the associating way of reflecting along with the developing state of mind. The different use of how the main character titles himself from “Lane A. Dean, Jr. … Lane Dean, Jr. … Lane Dean … Lane”5 shows how he is mentally changing back and forth, emphasizing this circularly and non-linear reflection. On the other hand the naming of Lane’s girlfriend, Sheri, shows a linear development from “his girlfriend … the girl … she … Sheri … Sheri Fisher”6. The way in which the girlfriend is named gives an impression of how the main character is developing his view of the girlfriend throughout the story. From an anonymous approach, ‘the girl’, to actually addressing her by her full name “Sheri Fisher”, This use of the narrative technique creates a stream of consciousness and creates an associating but yet authentic feeling – a feeling that enlightens the complex main theme of the story.

Some sort of psychosocial development that Michael might have undergone in social referencing and attachment. Michael might have gone through social referencing because now at home he only has a father and as stated in the book “fathers are usually the best playmates”. This may have caused Michael to have a stronger relationship with his father but not only that it may have also made him a more playful person as he is the center daycare. Also, his father might have encouraged Michael’s social development because he now seems more active and social with the other

Though Michael thought he would never join the family business the change comes through the need for him to protect his family especially his father. Michael goes through change at hospital where he has to protect his father from Sollozo's men. He soon realizes that unlike the Baker, who is helping him, he is used to this type of work and danger. Michael then has his first real contact with the family business when he gets punched in the face by a corrupt police officer. This really marks the change in Michael physically by the mark left on his face and emotionally by Michael finally accepting his role in his

Danielle returns her mother’s slippers in exchange for the book, but Marguerite burns it anyway, in an act of spite. The transformation is based on a different perspective of the ideas raised in the text. In order to convince the audience to value witnessing the experiences that the minor character undergoes, which might otherwise

These opposing viewpoints also decide the outcome of most of the characters’ progression throughout their texts. The optimism and pessimism expressed by the respective texts are