Characters and Themes in the Novel The Gathering Essay Example

Nathanial thought)“Danny grinned at me, engaging urchins and in spite of being horrified over what he had told me, I found myself smiling back. “Yeah well, I’m an idealist” I found myself responding”. This gives the effect of understanding Nathanial. The reader understands how he sees himself and how he feels others see him. This makes the reader feel connected and close to Nathanial’s thoughts.

Therefore this highlights Carmody relying on a realistic character such as Nathanial to emphasise and understand the plot and messages of her novel and how themes such as Good conquers over evil are incorporated into her many themes throughout The Gathering. Body Paragraph 2 Mr Karle is the antagonist; he is another realistic character Isobelle Carmody relies on to create a great novel. Evil is the theme Mr Karle portrays, it reflects on the power and authority a figure can posses and how pure evil conquers, manipulates and hypnotises.

To demonstrate this Carmody illustrates and describes Mr Karle as a leader, a powerful figure in the view of the people of Cheshunt, all except for Nathanial and The Chain. This is shown through the use of symbolism. Symbolism is used through items to represent concepts, ideas or thoughts within The Gathering. In the novel Nathanial mentions Mr Karle’s eyes, “He had eyes that indefinite shade of the sea before a storm. Not quite green or blue or grey, but a mixture of all those colours”.

This gives the idea of his eyes, though later in the novel Nathanial mentions, “His eyes looked at me over the tips of his fingers and I felt a strange falling sensation.

For a second it seemed as if the whole universe were shifting and the only safe and steady things were his eyes. They were not like a stormy sea after all, they were safe still pools”. This gives the example of hypnotism, hidden darkness and mystery. Nathanial and the Chain believe Mr Karle’s eyes are the opening of the darkness and his face is the opening of the evil bruised within, wanted to escape.

This gives the effect of hidden evil, and through Nathanial’s thoughts allows the reader to understand Mr Karle’s magic and charisma. Through Mr Karle Carmody is using a realistic linked to the relevant theme of Evil, to make her novel, The Gathering, eminent. Body Paragraph 3 Carmody had created a group of characters known as the Chain, whom are realistic and carry the theme of ‘In unity is strength’ throughout the whole of The Gathering. The theme in unity is strength is based on the saying United we stand - divided we fall.

This is shown through the use of dialogue and conversation between the group members Nathanial, Nissa, India, Danny and Seth. Dialogue is where two or more characters are represented as conversing or discussing. As a group of five characters, conversation and discussing are relevant and significant. At the end of the novel The Chain converse, “Nissa, we’re the Chain” I bellowed, “the five of us make up the Chain and he’s trying to break Seth away from us’. ’What are you talking about? ’ snarled Danny. ”He betrayed us. ‘I shook my head. ‘We almost betrayed him, Seth your one of us. You’re part of the

Chain forever, Lallie said.

No matter what. Till death do us part... ” This makes the reader feel as if they were there, experiencing the conversation and agony. It makes the reader feel connected to all the characters and through dialogue allows the reader to realize relationships between characters and to sense attitude and other personalities through dialogue. Therefore this highlights Carmody relying on Characters such as the Chain to act and converse realistically as if we were there. The theme in unity is strength is shown through their passion and love for each other and is a common theme through the novel, The Gathering.

Conclusion Great Authors like Isobelle Carmody rely on realistic characters and relevant themes to communicate and portray messages throughout their novel. By Carmody creating realistic characters like Nathanial, Mr Karle and the group, The Chain, we have connectivity and inner depth within the novel. Linking Nathanial to good, Mr Karle to evil and the chain to unity, the readers are opened to messages and recurring themes throughout the novel. Great Authors rely on realistic and engaging characters and relevant themes which are appointing to communicate and portray messages throughout their novel.