Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The Purpose of the Focus on James Jarvis
Throughout the novel so far we have seen a primary focus on father Kumalo's actions but in he beginning of part two we see a fresh new main character James Jarvis. Throughout the next few chapters we follow James actions instead of Kumalo's. I think the author did this to have the character feel more of an emotional attachment to the murder of Arthur Jarvis. Before we see James the murder of Arthur Jarvis did not deeply sadden me or move me in any way it was just a plot point. Also My view on the murder was strictly pro Absolom because I had not seen the other side of the story. But when I was introduced to James and his grief stricken wife I immediately cared more about the murder. Also the introduction of James changed my opinion on what should happen to Absolom because I now had a view on the other side of the story. Another thing that james adds to the plot is that he is a rich white man and is basically the opposite of father Kumalo. Now with seeing both perspectives the reader can now form a better opinion of the situation in the novel.
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I agree with you that the perspective in which the novel is presented plays a large role in the reader's perception of the events. I also found myself very pro-Absolom without even considering the other side of the story. Through changing perspectives, the author also introduces the split society between whites and blacks. Jarvis is introduced as a very strong and powerful man, while Absolom is represented as weak. Those characters have direct parallels with the majority of South African society at that time.
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