Jasper Jones Quotes PDF

Preview

Summary

Quote bank for Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey...

Description

Jasper Jones Quotes By Craig Silvey, published in 2009

Characters Charlie Bucktin – protagonist, about 13 years old. Ruth Bucktin – Charlie’s mother, cheating on her husband as she is unhappy with their relationship, alcoholic. Wesley Bucktin – Charlie’s father, literature teacher, wise. Jasper Jones – Aboriginal, about 15 years old, had a relationship with Jasper Jones, doesn’t go to school much. Mad Jack Lionel – Jasper Jones’ uncle, banished his son David from the family when he was to have a son with an Aboriginal women. Jeffrey Lu – Vietnamese, about 13 years old, best friends with Charlie, bullied at school for being Vietnamese, enjoys cricket. An Lu – Jeffrey’s dad. Jeffrey’s mum Eliza Wishart – Laura’s sister, likes Charlie, about 13 years old, daughter of the shire president. Laura Wishart – Eliza’s sister, sexually assaulted by her father, pregnant with her father’s baby, committed suicide, had a relationship with Jasper Jones, daughter of the shire president.

Synonyms for “show”    

Reveals Exemplifies Highlights Paints

  

Demonstrates Illustrates Displayed

  

Conveys Portrays Suggests

Racism Topic sentence: Racism destroys lives. Quote/Recount

Analysis/Technique

“…people are harassing my dad about it all the time, because he’s only allowed here through some sponsorship with the mine…” (pg 222)

Jeffery talking about how his dad is harassed at work.

“I observe Jeffery standing apart from the group sucking at a plastic cup as the rest of the team forms a circle that excludes him.” (pg 222)

Everyone is excluding Jeffrey at the cricket game as he was Vietnamese despite that he was about to win the cricket game for the team. Juxtaposition and contrast – the rest of the team is in whilst he is out, symbolism – circle symbolises unity and completeness, Jeffrey being outside the circle highlights his alienation. Jeffrey is being bullied at school as he is Vietnamese. Alliteration mimics the sound of beating - plosive sound (b and p - sounds explosive). Because Jasper’s mum was Aboriginal, he disliked her as he believed her skin made her “dirty”. Metaphor – describing a person to be dirt, symbolism - dirt is seen as dirty and is what everybody walks on all day, at the very bottom of the earth, derogatory term – “dirty”. They’re angry because of the Vietnam war and the loved ones who have gone to fight. Symbolism – “red”, referring to the Vietnamese flag and communism and the spread of communism, dialogue – exclamation and accusation, tone – accusatory, judgmental, critical. They don’t like Jeffrey because he’s Vietnamese. Derogatory language – shows the views and opinions of the speaker. (Can also be appearance and reality). The town expects Jasper to steal and don’t care about why he does it. Colloquial language –

“Jeffrey’s parents are Vietnamese, so he’s ruthlessly bullied and belted about by the boys at school.” (pg. 9) “When she fell pregnant, Jack Lionel railed hard against it… dirtying the family name.” (pg. 313) “‘He’s involved. He’s red. He’s a red! Fucking! Rat!’” (pg 269)

“Fuck me cong” (pg. 221) “They reckon it’s my nature [to steal]… I never once been caught…. They expect it.” (pg 45)

“Jeffrey had been made twelfth man for the main team, but it’s no sudden admission of his ability: they just need someone to run errands.” (pg. 208)

“... Mrs Lu just quietly reached a trembling hand … Nobody took her by the shoulders” (pg 168)

“... ‘Nobody even helped her!’... ‘Nobody even thought to help her.’ My father didn’t say anything.”

“… he’s [Jasper Jones] the first name to be blamed for all manner of trouble… Jasper’s involvement instantly absolves them… They’ve been waylaid by the devil.” (pg. 7)

shows lack of education, defensive tone presents him as a victim. Jeffrey is a talented cricket player, however, is not recognised for his talent but rather because the team needed another player. Syntax (word order of a sentence) – creates an expectation of acceptance as he is made twelfth man however it is undercut by the second half of the sentence which reveals that the invitation came from desperation not the talent – highlights prejudice. When Sue Findlay threw hot water on her, Mrs Lu didn’t stand up for herself and no one helped her. She didn’t want to cause a scene and understood this is how racist people are. She didn’t want to shrink to their level. No one stood up for Mrs Lu because they were racist and didn’t want to get involved. Showing how lack of empathy caused people that were bystanders didn’t do anything because they didn’t know what to do. They couldn’t empathise with her. Children in Corrigan blame Jasper Jones if they ever get in trouble so that they don’t get in trouble as if they were with Jasper Jones it wasn’t their fault – Jasper Jones as a scapegoat. Hyperbole, metaphor – negative connotations as they are saying that Jasper is a devil and deliberately evil.

Courage Topic Sentence: Quote/Recount Lu family has the courage to go out and go about their day-to-day lives and being civilised with people of Corrigan, although they are discriminated against for being Vietnamese. Jeffrey shows courage opening up to Charlie about his Aunt and

Analysis/Technique

Uncle dying from the bombing from Vietnamese War (1960s). Charlie shows courage following Jasper; an outcast, scapegoat and a stranger into the bush and helping him with Laura. Charlie shows courage while building a relationship with Elizaespecially after what happened with Laura. Charlie shows courage while talking to his mother as she is seen as ‘mean and terrible’ however he stands up to her. “I look at Jeffrey, casually laying his [cricket] gear bag down among theirs… Jeffrey has tried this before and it never ends without some kind of humiliation.” (pg. 76-7)

“Jeffrey, of course, is resilient and impressive” (pg. 77)

“Maybe it’s not about being without it. Maybe it’s about how well you walk with the weight… That’s what courage is.” (pg. 356) “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” (pg. 92) “For some folks, it’s easier to condemn another man than have the

Jeffrey shows courage when he goes to the cricket nets again even though he knows Warwick Trent and his friends/the cricket team are going to bully him and not let him play. First person omniscient (all knowing) narrator, foreshadowing (Charlie is foreshadowing what is going to happen) - highlights the courage Jeffrey shows in the face of racial persecution. Adjective “casually” demonstrates how Jeffrey doesn’t panic and reinforces his courage. On the odd occasion that Jeffrey is allowed to bat, the boys take bets as to where they will hit him. Jeffrey normally gets hit a few times though. The use of the word “of course” - a phrase in apposition reinforces Jeffrey’s courage and shows Charlie’s continued expectation. The use of the word “impressive” shows the value judgment and emotion felt by Charlie towards Jeffrey. Repetition of “maybe” combined with a metaphor of definition “walk with the weight” serves to help readers visualise courage and how characters throughout the book have shown courage. Defining courage. The use of contrast and juxtaposition in the words, “strength to

strength to right your own wrongs” (pg. 272)

right” and “condemn” show the value of courage over cowardice.

Relationships Topic Sentence: Families are complex, families present differing dynamic. Quote/Recount

Analysis/Technique

“she was like my girl and my mum and my family all at the same time” (pg. 43)

Jasper Jones identifies the meaningful relationship that he had with Laura, Jasper felt as if she was his only family. The succinct (short and to the point) accumulation of the words ‘and/my’ establishes the importance and role that Laura had in Jasper Jones life. Jeffrey leads his mum out of the town centre after Sue Findlay threw boiling water on Jeffrey’s mum. The Lu’s represent a supportive, loving and humorous family despite the racism evident in Corrigan. Symbolism, metaphorically refers to – resilience, optimism, family pride. The Bucktin’s family relationship is an example of a mixture of an admirable relationship with Wesley, Charlie’s Dad, and a toxic relationship with Ruth, Charlie’s Mum. Accumulation of negative adjectives – creates a negative impression of Ruth. Accumulation of positive adjectives. The Wishart’s relationship is an example how appearances can be deceiving and what can happen behind closed doors, in the case of Laura Wishart. The Jones’ family relationship presents a broken household with Jasper’s drunk dad, and his lost relationship with his grandfather, Mad Jack Lionel. Talking about the relationship with Charlie and his mother after he was caught coming back from bush with Jasper Jones.

“She must have been in a lot of pain. Jeffery led her out with his chin up” (pg. 168)

“She looks vile and unlovely … I hate her” (pg. 324)

“My father is a serene and reasonable man” (pg. 7) “Laura began shouting, screaming … she heard a crack and a yelp … she was afraid” (pg. 332) “He hasn’t had a job in months. The useless cunt should go join the army.” (pg. 45) “I was no longer a model child and she was no longer a model mother. And a snide, petty part of me was thrilled about it, almost

proud.” (pg. 262) “Sorry means you feel the pulse of other people’s pain, as well as your own, and saying it means you take a share of it.” (pg. 263) “‘Go home!’ my father explodes… He glares with real anger. And I can’t help but feel a blush of pride. I’ve been wrong about him.” (pg. 270) “I’ve got to get out, get brave. And I know it will be okay if I’m with Jasper.” (pg. 289) “I felt him go. I knew… Jasper Jones fell out of the world and nobody noticed. Nobody cared. And I understood.” (pg. 394)

(Can also be used for courage). Charlie is showing courage by leaving with Jasper Jones. High modality language in “I know” reveals the faith that Charlie has in Jasper. (Could also be in racism) Relationship between Charlie and Jasper Jones. Highlights ostracism and lack of connection and belonging. Contrast between Jasper Jones and the rest of society, lack of observation from society.

Laura and Jasper example: Silvey promotes empathy and tests preconceptions of the characters by examining relationships. For example, Laura, the daughter of the mayor, part of Corrigan’s perfect family and Jasper Jones, the town scapegoat and rebel, are from two different worlds. Silvey demonstrates how relationships are complex when Jasper Jones addresses his feelings towards Laura, “she was like my girl and my mum and my family all at the same time”. Jasper Jones identifies the meaningful relationship that he had with Laura, Jasper felt as if she was his only family. The succinct accumulation of the words ‘and/my’ establishes the amount of importance and role that Laura had in Jasper Jone s life. The reader feels empathy towards Jasper as he becomes vulnerable and expresses his emotions and presents a side to him which is the complete opposite of what he is preconceived as.   

Secrets Idea of masculinity Family

Appearance and Reality Topic Sentence: What people see is not what is always occurring. Quote/Recount “‘Go home!’ my father explodes… He glares with real anger. And I

Analysis/Technique

can’t help but feel a blush of pride. I’ve been wrong about him.” (pg. 270) “He has to throw a cloak over his heart. I wonder how much of Jasper’s life is spent pretending he doesn’t give a shit.” (pg. 182)

Jasper Jones is pretending as if he doesn’t care when he actually, he does. Metaphor. Colloquial expression “doesn’t give a shit” expression/cliché. “Mad Jack Lionel isn’t a criminal. He’s probably not even made. He’s The use of short truncated sentences indicate that Charlie’s just old and sad and poor and lonely.” (pg. 309) realisation was clear and direct. It conveys Charlie’s thoughts succinctly in just a few words. Shows that what society sees on the outside may not be the reality. The accumulation of mellow adjectives highlights the theme of sadness used to describe Mad Jack Lionel. The accumulation of words used to describe him have negative connotations which give the reader a sense of how he would be feeling being isolated from the rest of the town. “Just” highlights contrast between what he actually is and what he appears to others. Possibly use another quote before to emphasise his appearance to society. “Her father was louder and angrier… He reeked of spirits and tobacco Eliza and Laura’s dad was the town mayor but at home didn’t act all the time now.” (pg. 331) how the public thought he would act. “She could hear odd squeaks… two people grappling… Laura began Eliza describing what she could hear her father and Laura doing in shouting and screaming…” (pg. 332) her room. Auditory imagery helps the reader to visualise what is happening to Laura. “…she rocked back and fell… she didn’t hit the ground… she locked Eliza describing what she was seeing, to Charlie, about Laura’s and jolted and listed and twisted…” (pg. 336) suicide. Accumulation of verbs. Symbolism to describe that Laura was pregnant with her fathers’ “A measure of milky poison had caught hold and infected her… she was rotten inside. Something worse than disease.” (pg. 340) baby. “…see my mother grappling and gripping a man I don’t recognise.” Charlie catches his mum cheating when he and Eliza go out. (pg. 322) “…she’s drunk and barefoot… I’ve caught her fooling around with “ ” some fat old bastard while my dad is sitting at home…” (pg. 323) “Mad Jack is a character of much speculation… Jack Lionel killed a The children are very scared of Mad Jack Lionel because he killed a

young woman some years ago… our fear of the mad killer hidden in his home.” (pg. 4-5)  

woman (Jasper Jones’ mum in an accident). Assertive tone shows that this idea is entrenched in the public’s mind, “mad killer” – negative adjectives with negative connotations of a serial killer. When something seems to be one thing on the surface but is actually something different

Key Quotes in Jasper Jones Theme

Quote/Recount

Technique

“Jeffrey’s parents are Vietnamese, so he’s ruthlessly bullied and belted about by the boys at school.” (pg. 9)

Jeffrey is being bullied at school as he is Vietnamese. Alliteration mimics the sound of beating - plosive sound (b and p - sounds explosive). Everyone is excluding Jeffrey at the cricket game as he was Vietnamese despite that he was about to win the cricket game for the team. Juxtaposition and contrast – the rest of the team is in whilst he is out, symbolism – circle symbolises unity and completeness, Jeffrey being outside the circle highlights his alienation. (Can also be appearance and reality). The town expects Jasper to steal and don’t care about why he does it. Colloquial language – shows lack of education, defensive tone presents him as a victim.

“I observe Jeffery standing apart from the group… the team forms a circle that excludes him.” (pg 222)

Racism

“They reckon it’s my nature [to steal]… I never once been caught…. They expect it.” (pg 45)

Sue Findlay pours boiling water on Jeffrey’s mum. Her husband and son had recently died in the Vietnam War and she blamed her for their death. “I felt him go… Jasper Jones fell out of the world and nobody noticed.” (pg. 394)

Lu family has the courage to go out and go about their day-to-day lives and being

Highlights ostracism and lack of connection and belonging. Contrast between Jasper Jones and the rest of society, lack of observation from society.

civilised with people of Corrigan, although they are discriminated against for being Vietnamese. “I look at Jeffrey, casually laying his [cricket] gear bag down among theirs… Jeffrey has tried this before and it never ends without some kind of humiliation.” (pg. 76-7) Courage

“For some folks, it’s easier to condemn another man than have the strength to right your own wrongs” (pg. 272) “she was like my girl and my mum and my family all at the same time” (pg. 43) Relationships

“I felt him go… Jasper Jones fell out of the world and nobody noticed. Nobody cared. And I understood.” (pg. 394)

“She looks vile and unlovely … I hate her” (pg. 324)

Jeffrey shows courage when he goes to the cricket nets again even though he knows Warwick Trent and his friends/the cricket team are going to bully him and not let him play. First person omniscient (all knowing) narrator, foreshadowing (Charlie is foreshadowing what is going to happen) highlights the courage Jeffrey shows in the face of racial persecution. Adjective “casually” demonstrates how Jeffrey doesn’t panic and reinforces his courage. The use of contrast and juxtaposition in the words, “strength to right” and “condemn” show the value of courage over cowardice. Jasper Jones identifies the meaningful relationship that he had with Laura, Jasper felt as if she was his only family. The succinct (short and to the point) accumulation of the words ‘and/my’ establishes the importance and role that Laura had in Jasper Jones life. Relationship between Charlie and Jasper Jones. Highlights ostracism and lack of connection and belonging. Contrast between Jasper Jones and the rest of society, lack of observation from society. The Bucktin’s family relationship is an example of a mixture of an admirable

Appearance and Reality

relationship with Wesley, Charlie’s Dad, and a toxic relationship with Ruth, Charlie’s Mum. Accumulation of negative adjectives – creates a negative impression of Ruth. He spends his money on, “‘Grog and whores The Jones’ family relationship presents a and horses mostly. He hasn’t had a job in broken household with Jasper’s drunk dad, months. The useless cunt should go join the and his lost relationship with his grandfather, army.’” (pg. 45) Mad Jack Lionel. Use of colloquial language shows the lack of education in the Jones family, expletive shows that Jasper doesn’t like his father and has had a difficult upbringing with him. “They reckon it’s my nature [to steal]… I The town expects Jasper to steal and don’t never once been caught…. They expect it.” care about why he does it. Colloquial (pg 45) language – shows lack of education, defensive tone presents him as a victim. “She looks vile and unlovely … I hate her” The Bucktin’s family relationship is an (pg. 324) example of a mixture of an admirable relationship with Wesley, Charlie’s Dad, and a toxic relationship with Ruth, Charlie’s Mum. Accumulation of negative adjectives – creates a negative impression of Ruth. The children are very scared of Mad Jack “Mad Jack is a character of much Lionel because he killed a woman (Jasper speculation… Jack Lionel killed a young woman some years ago… our fear of the mad Jones’ mum in an accident). Assertive tone shows that this idea is entrenched in the killer…” (pg. 4-5) public’s mind, “mad killer” – negative adjectives with negative connotations of a serial killer. “Mad Jack Lionel isn’t a criminal. He’s The use of short truncated sentences

probably not even made. He’s just old and sad and poor and lonely.” (pg. 309)

“…she’s drunk and barefoot… I’ve caught her fooling around with some fat old bastard…” (pg. 323)

indicate that Charlie’s realisation was clear and direct. It conveys Charlie’s thoughts succinctly in just a few words. Shows that what society sees on the outside may not be the reality. The accumulation of mellow adjectives highlights the theme of sadness used to describe Mad Jack Lionel. The accumulation of words used to describe him have negative connotations which give the reader a sense of how he would be feeling being isolated from the rest of the town. “Just” highlights contrast between what he ac...