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Neil Gaiman's Use Of The Knife

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Neil Gaiman grabs the reader’s attention with the first line of the book:
There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife. The knife had a handle of polished black bone, and a blade finer and sharper than any razor. If it sliced you, you might not even know you had been cut, not immediately. The knife had done almost everything it was brought to that house to do, and both the blade and the handle were wet.
The descriptive words that are used regarding the knife prompt the reader into visualizing what is occurring at the very beginning of the story. Throughout the entire book Gaiman uses vivid imagery when explaining the different places that the character’s encounter; as well as the many characters throughout the book.
One night, a boy wandered …show more content…

He was taken in by a couple who had been at the graveyard for years, Mr. and Mrs. Owens. They then named the boy Nobody Owens (Bod for short). “It is going to take more than just a couple of good-hearted souls to raise this child. It will,” said Silas, “take a graveyard” (Gaiman). With saying that Silas promised to be Nobody Owens guardian until he reached adulthood. Throughout the entire story Bod had many mentors watching over him. His adopted mother, Mrs. Owens, who took him in at the very beginning was just like any mother you would expect. She was caring to Bod and only wanted what was best for him. Then, there is Silas. Silas is Bods guardian and also a mysterious character. Throughout the entire book Bod will ask Silas questions and he will never give Bod a straight answer. He is neither dead or living, but he watches out for Bod. Silas is also one of Bods

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