English Literature Essays Novel Conflict Alex

English Literature Essays Novel struggle AlexNovel Conflict AlexBook Review Smaller and Smaller turnI. vital abstract of Plot StructureThe novel starts with fuck off Emil information track. The climate redact is that of agitation and disturbance. As the novel progresses, one will at long last similarly see the pattern that each of the characters argon figuratively manpowerstruatening from a traumatic past, an experience or a memory. Interspersed in the flooring atomic number 18 a few paragraphs which describe and imply a point(a) characters departure with the self. Their conflict involves either denying or c everyplaceing up the characters whereabouts or past experiences. The whole novel itself, being of the carrying into action-mystery type, involves chasing, concealing information, uncovering secrets and resoluteness ambiguities.Alex, the manslayer, kills children and eviscerates their bodies as a way to cope and fight against a traumatic experience in the past . He strives to run away and break alleviate from this bitter past by destroying and agitateting rid of the children who remind him of his acerbic experiences, and whom he perceives as witnesses to his shame and suffering. The dehumanizing removal of their faces, hearts, and genitals non be situations echoes his desire to be rid of the parts of himself he perceived to be the cause of his suffering, but also seems to speak of how dehumanized he mat after his childhood ordeal.Attorney Arcinas, in the same vena, tries so look-threatening to wipe out a life which is completely different and far relegate than the life his parents had given him. At wassail, his behaviors are manifestations of his denial of his past and his get down to disassociate himself from the status he utilise to have in monastic order.Joana, the journalist, in spite of organizeing for the rectitude has a secret of her own to conceal. She has an matter with a married man this readily lends itself to humor when we consider how her predilection for going under cover turns up in, of all places, the bedroomOn the otherwise hand, the keys to clearing the cloud that seems to envelope the true relationship of the twain protagonists, spawn Jerome and Father Saenz are left quite obviously for the endorsers to catch out by themselves, albeit upon either the second or third re-reading these will be discussed more(prenominal) thoroughly later.In connection with the characters attempt to deny and run away, the beginning also uses the image of the rain to symbolize the attempts or the efforts of the characters to damp themselves, and to bring new life water to what seemed to have been enveloped by hopelessness and despair trauma and unfavorable circumstances in the end of both(prenominal) Joanas affair and the p fallible of the families of the victims.The point of view in the story shifts end-to-end the plotfrom the omniscient third soulfulness to a first person, which is th at of the killers point of view, and consequently back again. In connection with this, the murderers monologues aim to level him with the omniscient narrators view, creating an standard pressure of power, and even fear for the sake of the other characters in the story.You stool get expert help with your essays right at one time. Find out moreThe author uses dreams and recollections/flashbacks visvis direct narration by the omniscient narrator.The novel ends with an impending conflict that the reader deems will have a great impact on the 2 occur characters. Again, as the case of the murders is understandd, so there essential also be a need to uncover and shed light on a matter (the very probable more-than-friendship relations between Fr. Jerome and Fr. Saenz) that is insinuated through out the story.The plot in the story develops through the compound interaction of the characters with one a nonher. The main conflict in the story, the serial killings, stems from a distorted r elationship between mentor (PE teacher) and student (Alex) similarly, the protagonists (Fr. Jerome and Fr. Saenz) who are tasked upon to solve the cases also exhibit an fantastic bond between them. The relationship among the characters leads them to hope actions that drive the development of the plot.Alexs parents play the key role of revealing his traumatic past, which is what drives him to commit the murders. The differential power relations between some of the characters also drive the plot this is seen in the case of the (NBI) Directors exertion of power over Arcinas, which puts the quest of the ii protagonists to solve the murders back in track. Additionally, this time round they can be in control of things.II. Critical Analysis of Characters Father Saenz provides the epitome of a great mentor one who is a good example to his student his remaining calm during traffic jams in position and situations which require patience and understanding in general comes to mind in particular by taking good make out of and respecting his parishioners, even to the point of avoiding touch modality with them outside of mass in order to maintain their professional relationship.. He also tries hard to abstain from sexual fantasies or acts, such as the time when he didnt take advantage of the lady-dentists flirting. His character is completely in billet to that of Alexs PE teacher, who lets his perversion lead him to take sexual advantage of his students.Father Jerome, un kindred Alex, possesses high deference for his mentor, Father Saenz. He respects him not only because he is his teacher, but also because the two of them have plough very good friends. If Alex loathes his teacher, even to the point of killing him, Fr. Jerome cares very such(prenominal) for the life of Fr. Saenz this is very evident during the confrontation scene between Alex and Fr. Saenz, wherein Fr. Jerome exhibits cephalalgia so extreme it surprises Atty. Arcinas.Attorney Arcinas represen ts the dysfunctional system of government agencies in the Philippines. Driven by his selfish motivations and greed, he grabs every opportunity he can to benefit himself, be it to his finances or his reputation. He doesnt care if he is really able to function as a shielder of the law and of the people, rich or poor as they whitethorn be. Fortunately, his powers are clipped by an authority figure, the Director, who knows what Arcinas is really up to and sets him straight.Joana, for her part, represents as an exclusive what the media is as an institution persistent in its quest for truth, but incisively as full of anomalies, controversies, and lies within its walls. In the case of Joana, her passion for news media and determination to uncover the truth exist visvis her being involved in a secret and forbidden love affair. Moreover, even if the reader gets affect with her strong desire to uncover the truth behind the murders, s/he may be appalled by her intrusion on the relationshi p of the two priests.Alex, although characterized as a murderer, may also be seen as a victim himself. As an adolescent, he is molested by a person who shouldve been like his second parent. He is a brilliant student, responsible and prise in school, but because of what happens between him and his PE teacher, his view of himself and of the world changes from bright to dim. His parents, on the other hand, arent able to do anything for him with regard to what he is experiencing in school. He becomes embittered by his trauma and eventually turns angry, displacing this feeling on innocent children. He then becomes a victim of his own self, particularly his despair and wrath.III. Critical Analysis of ThemesTaking into setting the context of the setting of the novel, an emerge thought is that serial killers are not a stranger to the Philippine society and it is not something that should be taken lightly. This revelation of an issue creates a worry within and around us. It makes us rea lize the reality of the statement and it triggers certain(a) emotions which may result in our being more vigilant.Another emerging theme is that of pain Pain transcends time and space, and it can be divided with others. This concept was blatantly expressed within the story through the life of the killer. During childhood, he experienced pain, suffering and humiliation that he wasnt able to bilk and resolve. This pain showed itself through his emotions of anger and thoughts of violence. He constantly feels the pain and is systematically reminded of the horrors he experienced before. He shares this pain to others through his behavior hurting, killing, and doing to others what has been make to him.Yet another theme deals with the truth. Even if the truth is, most of the time, absolute, it may also be manipulated by people. For example, this is evident in Arcinas attempt to present to the media a bogus suspect in place of the true murderer who still remains at large. This move of A rcinas serves as one of the conflicts in the novel.Manipulation of truth may also take the form of use it either to benefit or destroy other people. The two lead characters used the truth to bring justice to the bereaved families of the victims. On the other hand, Joana plans to reveal the truth, or at least the perceived truth, for the benefit of her career. sedate another theme in the story points to the significance of context with regard to the behavior of people. The environment impinges upon the individual so that one cannot fully strike that a person is inherently good or bad. In the case of Alex, his traumatic experience during his adolescence greatly contributes to his abnormal behavior. Although this does not justify the killings he commits, it goes to show that a person must not be judged using his personality as basis. One must also take into consideration the experiences and events that molded him/ her to what he/ she has become.Find out how our expert essay writers can help you with your workThe novel also illustrates the vulnerability of humans. It acknowledges the fact that people, no matter what vocation or career they pursue, are still competent of making mistakes, intentionally or unintentionally. Arcinas, although a lawyer, does not really work for justice Joana also has ulterior motives in getting and knowing the truth Fr. Jerome also gets angry just like any other person.The deed itself, Smaller and Smaller Circles, alludes to the fact discussed above and reiterated here for claritys sake that truth, although it may be subjected to manipulation, will eventually be revealed. No matter how interwoven the information have become because of attempts to twist the truth, with careful analysis and effort one will arrive at the core of the truth.IV. Critical Analysis of Language and StyleThe author uses unanalyzable descriptions to illustrate the setting and set the mood in each of the scenes in the story. The novel stimulates the forma tion of a vivid imagery on the part of the reader, since the author attempts to tap not only a single sensory modality when describing a particular scene or event. In spite of richness in descriptions, experience of the text comes relatively at ease. The words, in spite of their simplicity in structure not highfaluting at all elicit the in demand(p) effect since they are put into context and combined with supporting data by the author (e.g. unwholesome air, maggots in it body). Comparison and contrast are also utilized by Batacan as tools to develop the themes in the novel. As mentioned in the analysis of the characters, the implied contrast between Fr. Saenz and Alexs teacher serves as a justification for Alexs excessive wrath. The positive characteristics of Fr. Saenz as a mentor becomes more salient as he is put side by side with Alexs teacher, and this in turn justifies Jeromes high regard and respect for his mentor- friend. Internal contrast is also evident in the character of Joana who strives for the revelation of truth while she herself conceals a dark secret. It is also interesting to note that the element of capture is instilled in the story through the manipulation of the characters, particularly Fr. Saenz and Fr. Jerome. The fact that these two characters are priests makes it ironic that they are involved in solving the murder cases a very physical aspect of life when they are normally associated with the spiritual needs of the people.Beside this, the extraordinary bond or even mayhap romantic relationship hinted at through the powerful and meaningful lines used by the author to convey her message, although stated in terms which submit enough room for the reader to imagine and give his/her own interpreting of the text which exists between the two becomes a juicier topic because they are men of cloth. Indeed, the two men have an extraordinary rapport that goes far beyond any mentor student relationship textual details abound. hither are a fewThe two men have an extraordinary rapport that goes far beyond any mentor student relationship. Although the two men have been more different in character and temperament, they now find themselves on either end of a baffling coarse affinity (p 22.).Again the inexplicable rapport between the two men as Saenz glances up at him (p. 125).It isnt Gus job to get killed The younger priests enunciate seems terribly loud to his own ears, and Arcinas blinks once or in two ways as though startled.. Impatiently and with violence that he never would have thought he possessed, Jerome pushes the lawyer aside and starts running. (p. 150).Another, less controversial construction utilized by Batacan to help create an affinity in the reader for the characters is the narration of simple, everyday tasks. This not only firmly sets the tale in the modern world, but also allows the reader to connect with the characters on a mundane basis certainly we cant all relate to a detective priests passion for forensics, but when that passion is interrupted by a craving for fast food we all find ourselves knowing what its like to be in his shoes.That said, it is reasonable to conclude that Batacan manages to introduce a writing style almost entirely alien to our culture without turning off her readers. Her simple yet engrossing prose entices us, making us crave for more however, a search for Philippine literature made in the same vein ultimately proves futile, leaving us to drift in small and smaller circles towards repeated readings of Batacans magnum opus hence the detection of homosexual undertones.