Jasper Jones Essay Model

Knowledge of the truth shapes our understandings of life.How is this concept checked out in Jasper Jones?

IntroThe function of the introduction is to set up your argument. It is the platform from which you can leap into your proofs and reasons of your viewpoint. * Clearly discusses any essential terms or ideas

* Clearly specifies your viewpoint (including the language of the concern).* Introduces the text.* Presents the central arguments of your essay.

Acquiring understanding of the truth typically includes being challenged by both the darkness and the light within humanity.

Understanding both these sides is what specifies the adult mind from that of the kid’s. The shattering of the kid’s understandings of life, through knowledge of the truth, is what we describe as the ‘loss of innocence’. To ‘come of age’ is to lose the innocence of youth and to start to develop the beliefs, worths and mindsets of the adult, that will both form that adult’s understandings of life and enable them to function in an adult world.

Jeffrey establishes the strength to get rid of racial stereotyping, while for Jasper, the revelation of tricks is both a healing and a liberating force.

Knowledge of the fact shapes our understandings of life.How is this idea checked out in Jasper Jones?Main Body* Justification / proof* Analysis to support your point of view* Series of paragraphs – ONE argument per paragraphEach main body paragraph needs:P – point (argument / topic sentence)E – evidence (quote / close reference)T – techniqueA – analysisL – link (next paragraph – back to the question- POV)

Charlie is thrust into adulthood introP – knowledge of the truth shapes Charlie’s perceptions of life into adult perceptions – loss of innocenceE – “My exit from the window” / “got the right words”T – simile / 1st person narrationA – rebirth / childhood adulthood, a whole new worldL – knowledge of darkness and evil, as well as goodness and light is what defines the adult mind / attitudes change as he develops empathy for others, namely Jasper (linking sentence can occur at end of one paragraph OR the start of the next)

Over the course of this summer, Charlie is confronted with many truths including the truth behind the myth of Mad Jack Lionel and the truth behind his mother’s hurtful behavior; however it is the revelation of the truth behind the myth of Jasper Jones, and the terrible dark secret that Jasper exposes him to, that have the greatest impact on Charlie. When Jasper Jones arrives at Charlie’s house that fateful night, Charlie describes his exit from the window as being “a little like a foal being born.” Implicit in this simile is the concept of rebirth. It is understood that Charlie’s world, his perceptions of life, are about to change forever.

Charlie’s exposure to Laura’s horrific death and the events leading up to it, force him to confront the darkness in human nature and as a result, he matures and develops the perceptions and values that will guide him through adult life. The nature of his transformation by the end of the summer is revealed when Charlie narrates, “I’ve finally got the right words in me.” The first person narration allows readers access to Charlie’s thoughts and he is thus able to express the development of his character and confidence which finally allows him to say what he has wanted to say to Eliza throughout the summer.

As Charlie and Jasper work together to uncover the secret behind Laura’s death, Charlie is able to get to know Jasper as a person, as opposed to knowing only the myth that is Jasper Jones. With this knowledge comes understanding, which shapes Charlie’s perceptions of his character, so much so that when the people of Corrigan suspect Jasper of burning down the Wishart’s home, Charlie feels dismayed on his behalf. He narrates that, “When I hear his name, there’s that lump in my throat again and a tug at my raw chest.” Charlie’s ability to empathise with Jasper is the mark of an adult mind and hence, illustrates his coming of age.

Knowledge of the truth shapes our perceptions of life.

Useful Analytical Words (word bank)

ShowsExhibitsDemonstrates thatSuggests thatAlludes toCreatesUnfolds / unfurlsDisplaysImplies thatCan be interpreted asRefers toPresents usRelates toIllustrates*proves thatArgues thatComparesContrastsJuxtaposesReflectsMirrorsRepresentsExemplifiesRevealsSeems toOffers

Parallels

More useful text response words

ThusHenceThereforeConsequentlySubsequentlyAs a resultSimilarlyIn contrast toAs opposed toMore significantlyHoweverAccordingly

Knowledge of the truth shapes our perceptions of life.

Conclusion

Many essays fall apart in the homestretch due to weak conclusions that do little more than offer a thin summary of what has already been written in the main body. Your conclusion is your final opportunity to say something important about the human condition – so do so! Your concluding statements should be clearly justified by, and be logical extensions of, your analysis of the text and the argument you have constructed. A strong conclusion will:

* Bring your discussion to an emphatic close by drawing together the ideas you have analysed.* Contain a statement about the text’s wider meaning, or implications for society. It might do this by: highlighting the key values it endorse or critiques, expounding the central message it offers for audiences or capturing the overall view of society that it presents.* Focus on the text as a whole, rather than listing its ‘bits’.

Gaining knowledge of the truth often involves being confronted by both the darkness and the light within human nature. Knowing both these sides is what defines the adult mind from that of the child’s. The shattering of the child’s perceptions of life, through knowledge of the truth, is what we refer to as the ‘loss of innocence’. To ‘come of age’ is to lose the innocence of childhood and to begin to develop the beliefs, values and attitudes of the adult, that will both shape that adult’s perceptions of life and allow them to function in an adult world. Thus is gaining knowledge of the truth a fundamental aspect of the process of coming of age.

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey is a coming of age novel. It details one summer in the lives of four teenagers, Charlie, Jasper, Jeffrey and Eliza, when they are confronted with the truth behind the secrets, lies and myths of their small hometown, Corrigan. The revelation of these dark truths shapes the lives of all these characters. Charlie is thrust into adulthood, while Eliza’s world is torn apart. Jeffrey develops the strength to overcome racial stereotyping, while for Jasper, the revelation of secrets is both a healing and a liberating force.

Change is inescapable / different impacts due to different experiences, values, perceptions / not only knowing the truth but also accepting it and dealing with it is the key to coming of age / confronting yet necessary – to exist and function in an adult world (adult values and perceptions), we must know and accept the dark and the light / the transition from childhood to adulthood is the most significant one we make (rites of passage) / confronting the truth is a sort of rite of passage.

Charlie – fitsJasper – fitsJeffrey – fitsEliza – fits but… she cannot act on the truth; violence, burning house drastic symbolic action Laura – fits but…. See Eliza – not knowledge of ‘evil’; ‘evil’ is happening to her too early, too harsh, she cannot survive