Falling Essay, Research Paper
Falling
ANNE PROVOOST
?He?s a skinhead, a second one added. I knew they wouldn?t talk to me
any more, only about me?(p111)
Falling is a book that contains many complex scenarios and interpersonal
relationships. The plot is set on the strong bonds between characters due to
shared opinions and emotions.
Caitlin is a character that voices her opinions about anything that may be
troubling her: ?Keeping silent about the truth is to distort it.?(P148) and
Lucas is a character that finds it hard to voice his opinions because most
issues that concern him he doesn?t know the facts about: ?I…I don?t
know…Actually…I have no opinion about it?(p138).
In which way do the visual aspects affect the characters? In one section of
the book Lucas chose to cut his hair very short, which to some people may
represent him being a ?Skinhead? or Neo-Nazi. ?He?s a skinhead, a second
one added. I knew they wouldn?t talk to me any more, only about me?(p111)
this did not necessarily make him a follower of such beliefs but because his
appearance was like those who did believe in "taking action against
migrants" etc? he was discriminated against. By cutting his hair very
short the character showed that he is converting to be accepted by such people
as Beno?t; ?an extremist who believes in violent action against migrant
workers?(blurb).
The main essence of Caitlin?s character is that she is a dancer, her
clothing therefore is practical and durable with an American style. ?She
walked rhythmically, her back straight. She was wearing shorts and a thin
T-shirt, and I (Lucas) could see how bony she was, and how, as she climbed the
hill, her muscles tensed right up to her neck?(p51). ?She was taller than me
(Lucas)?(p44). Caitlin is a thin and muscular character, the average build of
a dancer. Caitlin having ?black hair?(p29) and ?Her eyes were as brown as
beer, her skin pale?(p45) doesn?t seem to impact her at all, only proposing
what will later be discovered that she is in fact Jewish.
The appearances of the characters are influenced more by their opinions than
anything else. The appearance of the character is important to the person
reading the book because it gives the finishing touches to a character, make
them more life-like. If there where to be no descriptions of appearances you,
the reader, would have a gap in the plot and the book is less believable and
intriguing.