Post by Rhyss essay on Mar 12, 2011 21:27:01 GMT
Goodnight Mr Tom Essay
'Goodnight Mister Tom' by Michelle Magorian is about an evacuee who has trouble with and abusive mother. This novel focuses on the developing relationship between William Beech, the evacuee, and Tom Oakly, his temporary guardian. Magorian uses characterisation to convey the character development throughout the story.
At the beginning of the novel, Tom comes across as a old stubborn man who is really impatient and who also doesn't make an effort to socialise;
“Come on in, I ent got all day.” This suggests that Tom is an impolite, impatient man. This implies that Tom and Willie's relationship might be awkward and difficult.
Our first impression of Willie is that he is strickened by poverty and is from a poor, dull place;
“The boy was thin and sickly-looking, pale with limp sanely hair and dull grey eyes.” This suggests that Willie has not been outside for a number of years and that he doesn't get the right care. This gives the reader signs that Willie is different to other kids as it seems he isn't full of life and boistrous.
At this stage of the novel, it is clear that Tom and Willie havn't been able to build a relationship. They are awkward around each other;
“Go on, sit down, boy. You got wax in your ears?” This shows that Willie doesn't know how to act around Tom and it seems as though he is scared of him. In fairness to Willie Tom seems strict and is being really harsh to him. Becuase of this, our first impression of their relationship is that it won't be sociable and friendly.
Both Tom and Willie's characters evolve throughout the novel. When we approach the middle of the novel we see a noticable change. The turning point of the novel is when Willie's mum request's to take him home. As Tom has lived with Willie for almost a year, he has managed to build a strong relationship with Willie. Tom goes to extremes to find Willie. He travels all the way from Weirworld to Deptford. Tom is even so determined to prove that Willie is in the house he breaks down the door;
“I think there's someone in there, said Tom urgently!” The use of the word “urgently” shows that Tom is determined to prove that William is in the house. Michelle Magorian hopes at this point of the novel that the reader see's that Tom has turned to a caring, old man. We are happy to see that Tom has managed to learn the fact that his wife and son are gone and are never coming back, and he is trying to pretend that William is his son.
Willie's character goes through a major upheavel in the middle of the novel. The reader generally feels quite sorry for Willie as he had become much more sociable, unlike how he was at the start;
“ A thin emacaited boy with matted, and skin like parchment...” This describes Willie as he was at the start, an ill looking boy. The words “ skin like parchment” shows that Willie's skin is paper-like. This suggests that Willie has lost lots of weight whilst his time in the cupboard and also makes the reader consider how long Willie has been in this small condemned room. At this part of the novel the reader thinks that it will be a long time till Willie is back to his usual self.
Their relationship at this point is torn apart. Willie had just broke out his dull cocoon, only to be sent back in. On the other hand, Tom knows he has a lot of work to bring Willie back to what he created;
“ I promised the boy i'd stay here.” This shows that Tom is still dedicated to Willie. The fact that Tom promises Willie that he'd stay for him shows that Tom loves Willie.
Now that we have approached the end of the novel, both Tom's and Willie's characters have developed dramatically. However, Tom's character has aged for the worse. The reader really starts to notice this when Willie starts doing most of the jobs around the house;
“Will, noticed now how old and vulnerable Tom looked.” At the start of the novel, the reader thought of Tom as a strong man as well as a grumpy, however now he is a weak, caring man. The quotation helps us understand that he is the exact opposite of how he was at the start. The use of the word “vulnerable” suggests that Tom is weaker and needs cared for. Throughout the novel Tom has become more and more like a dad to Willie rather than a role model. Most of Tom's knowledge and strenght is passed down to Willie, just like a normal father would nurture his child.
Willie's Journey throughout the novel has been abused and cared for. At the start the reader remembers him as a cautious boy who is scared of everything he does incase he gets whipped. By the end, Willie comes across as a talkative boy;
“ How strange... To think that i was once terrified of you.” This quotation backs up the idea that Willie had grown into a young adult. He is over coming his fears that he had previously and is now growing.
To conclude, it is clear that Michelle Magorian has portayed the progression of Tom and Willie's relationship effectively through her use of characterisation. There development is shown most effictively towards the end of the novel when Willie starts calling Tom “dad”. This shows that Willie loves him as if he were family. I really enjoyed this novel as Magorian made the relationship a key plot and i'd recommend this book to anyone.
'Goodnight Mister Tom' by Michelle Magorian is about an evacuee who has trouble with and abusive mother. This novel focuses on the developing relationship between William Beech, the evacuee, and Tom Oakly, his temporary guardian. Magorian uses characterisation to convey the character development throughout the story.
At the beginning of the novel, Tom comes across as a old stubborn man who is really impatient and who also doesn't make an effort to socialise;
“Come on in, I ent got all day.” This suggests that Tom is an impolite, impatient man. This implies that Tom and Willie's relationship might be awkward and difficult.
Our first impression of Willie is that he is strickened by poverty and is from a poor, dull place;
“The boy was thin and sickly-looking, pale with limp sanely hair and dull grey eyes.” This suggests that Willie has not been outside for a number of years and that he doesn't get the right care. This gives the reader signs that Willie is different to other kids as it seems he isn't full of life and boistrous.
At this stage of the novel, it is clear that Tom and Willie havn't been able to build a relationship. They are awkward around each other;
“Go on, sit down, boy. You got wax in your ears?” This shows that Willie doesn't know how to act around Tom and it seems as though he is scared of him. In fairness to Willie Tom seems strict and is being really harsh to him. Becuase of this, our first impression of their relationship is that it won't be sociable and friendly.
Both Tom and Willie's characters evolve throughout the novel. When we approach the middle of the novel we see a noticable change. The turning point of the novel is when Willie's mum request's to take him home. As Tom has lived with Willie for almost a year, he has managed to build a strong relationship with Willie. Tom goes to extremes to find Willie. He travels all the way from Weirworld to Deptford. Tom is even so determined to prove that Willie is in the house he breaks down the door;
“I think there's someone in there, said Tom urgently!” The use of the word “urgently” shows that Tom is determined to prove that William is in the house. Michelle Magorian hopes at this point of the novel that the reader see's that Tom has turned to a caring, old man. We are happy to see that Tom has managed to learn the fact that his wife and son are gone and are never coming back, and he is trying to pretend that William is his son.
Willie's character goes through a major upheavel in the middle of the novel. The reader generally feels quite sorry for Willie as he had become much more sociable, unlike how he was at the start;
“ A thin emacaited boy with matted, and skin like parchment...” This describes Willie as he was at the start, an ill looking boy. The words “ skin like parchment” shows that Willie's skin is paper-like. This suggests that Willie has lost lots of weight whilst his time in the cupboard and also makes the reader consider how long Willie has been in this small condemned room. At this part of the novel the reader thinks that it will be a long time till Willie is back to his usual self.
Their relationship at this point is torn apart. Willie had just broke out his dull cocoon, only to be sent back in. On the other hand, Tom knows he has a lot of work to bring Willie back to what he created;
“ I promised the boy i'd stay here.” This shows that Tom is still dedicated to Willie. The fact that Tom promises Willie that he'd stay for him shows that Tom loves Willie.
Now that we have approached the end of the novel, both Tom's and Willie's characters have developed dramatically. However, Tom's character has aged for the worse. The reader really starts to notice this when Willie starts doing most of the jobs around the house;
“Will, noticed now how old and vulnerable Tom looked.” At the start of the novel, the reader thought of Tom as a strong man as well as a grumpy, however now he is a weak, caring man. The quotation helps us understand that he is the exact opposite of how he was at the start. The use of the word “vulnerable” suggests that Tom is weaker and needs cared for. Throughout the novel Tom has become more and more like a dad to Willie rather than a role model. Most of Tom's knowledge and strenght is passed down to Willie, just like a normal father would nurture his child.
Willie's Journey throughout the novel has been abused and cared for. At the start the reader remembers him as a cautious boy who is scared of everything he does incase he gets whipped. By the end, Willie comes across as a talkative boy;
“ How strange... To think that i was once terrified of you.” This quotation backs up the idea that Willie had grown into a young adult. He is over coming his fears that he had previously and is now growing.
To conclude, it is clear that Michelle Magorian has portayed the progression of Tom and Willie's relationship effectively through her use of characterisation. There development is shown most effictively towards the end of the novel when Willie starts calling Tom “dad”. This shows that Willie loves him as if he were family. I really enjoyed this novel as Magorian made the relationship a key plot and i'd recommend this book to anyone.
