The document discusses how the novel Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey explores how knowledge of the truth shapes perceptions of life. It focuses on how the main characters Charlie Bucktin and Jasper Jones have their views changed as they uncover disturbing secrets and truths about the death of Laura Wishart in their small 1960s Australian town. Charlie loses his innocence as he discovers lies and injustices, while the truth about Laura and his past free Jasper from his troubled life. The document also notes how other townspeople who refuse to seek the truth have perceptions shaped by their willful ignorance.
The document discusses how the novel Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey explores how knowledge of the truth shapes perceptions of life. It focuses on how the main characters Charlie Bucktin and Jasper Jones have their views changed as they uncover disturbing secrets and truths about the death of Laura Wishart in their small 1960s Australian town. Charlie loses his innocence as he discovers lies and injustices, while the truth about Laura and his past free Jasper from his troubled life. The document also notes how other townspeople who refuse to seek the truth have perceptions shaped by their willful ignorance.
The document discusses how the novel Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey explores how knowledge of the truth shapes perceptions of life. It focuses on how the main characters Charlie Bucktin and Jasper Jones have their views changed as they uncover disturbing secrets and truths about the death of Laura Wishart in their small 1960s Australian town. Charlie loses his innocence as he discovers lies and injustices, while the truth about Laura and his past free Jasper from his troubled life. The document also notes how other townspeople who refuse to seek the truth have perceptions shaped by their willful ignorance.
Knowledge of the truth shapes our perceptions of life.
How is this idea
explored in Jasper Jones? INTRODUCTION Craig Silveys bildungsroman, Jasper Jones, explores the significance of the truth and its impact on how characters make sense of the world using the backdrop of 1960s Corrigan, Australia. In particular, Silvey focuses on how such revelations impact youth, as they uncover the truth behind dark and disturbing secrets, lies and myths about the town in an attempt to solve the mystery of Laura Wisharts death. The novels protagonist, Charlie Bucktins inquisitive nature and desire to help his friend Jasper set into motion a series of discoveries that culminate in his loss of innocence whereas the discovery of the truth regarding Laura and his past serve to liberate Jasper Jones. To the same extent characters pursue the truth, Silvey explores the other aspect, those who are ignorant or refuse to seek out the truth yet whose perceptions of life are shaped all the same. NOTES: - Begin with a general sentence introducing the topic - We are asked to explore the idea. So rather than have a contention that agrees or disagrees with the topic, we must consider all the characters and how this statement applies to them. - I have chosen to focus my arguments based on characters, and the different ways their perceptions are change by their interactions with the truth - Arguments 1 and 2 are going to exclusively be about Charlie and Jasper - Argument 3 is going to focus on Corrigan as a town and Jaspers dad. Corrigan psychology is explained by Jasper (they fear what they dont know), this fearful perception is shaped by the fact that they dont know the truth. These people can benefit society, Jasper and Jeffrey are talented sportsmen yet are cast aside. Likewise, Jaspers dad doesnt forgive his father because he is unwilling to hear the truth from him and thus he lives the way he does. SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH Topic Sentence: As he seeks to absolve Jasper of Lauras death, Charlies desire to find the truth and seek justice lead him to uncover secrets that drastically change his views on the town and its inhabitants. Explain: Charlie begins the novel as a characteristically nave teenager, evident in his suggestion to Jasper that they should inform the police as to Lauras death. However, it is his relationship with Jasper Jones and his desire to help him that cause him confront the darkness in human nature, the result of which causes him to mature and develop his perceptions of the world. First Example: In a bid to find the motives behind Lauras death, Charlies research about Corrigans serial killers and criminals cause him to question what horrors humans are truly capable of. First Explanation: Charlie relates the plight of Sylvia Likens to Laura Wishart ,Why didnt anybody help her? The neighbourhood knew, and the reality that despite his innocence, Jasper would have been cuffed and caged like Eric Cooke. Discovering the truth behind Corrigans past changes Charlies view of the townspeople in the present. He is dismayed at the fact that nothing has changed, that their willingness to ignore and even engage themselves in such clear infractions of justice still remains. Second Example: In exposing the truth behind the myths of both Jasper Jones and Mad Jack Lionel, Charlie once again is dismayed by Corrigans deceitful nature. Second Explanation: Through getting to know them, Charlie is able to overcome the stigmatizations the town has levelled against both of them and form his own opinions. Where he once feared Mad Jack like the rest of the town, upon meeting him, Charlie realizes he is just old and sad and poor and lonely. Likewise, contrary to the towns misrepresentation of Jasper as a truant, Charlie discovers in him a true friend and greatly sympathises with Jaspers infinitely sad plight. In breaking through the myths and lies and understanding the people behind them, Charlie demonstrates an adult-like ability to empathize. Link back to Contention: Charlie Bucktins encounters with the truth enable him to grasp a better understanding of Corrigan and their mistreatment of outsiders, damning truths which ultimately correspond in his loss of innocence. CONCLUSION Silveys novel focuses on the coming-of-age story of Charlie Bucktin, a child whose exposure to many dark truths facilitate a development of adult perceptions and values. The more world weary Jasper Jones is affected in a different way, as the truth as to the nature of Lauras death and his grandfather serve to liberate him and provide him with renewed sense of purpose. Finally, Silvey also considers those who ignore or refuse to find the truth and how this results in a fearful, counterproductive perception of the world.