Journal 2 - Essay on The Shack by Wm. Paul Young PDF

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Essay on The Shack by Wm. Paul Young...

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1 ENG 2D1 Wednesday, October 28, 2015 A Web of Emotion Authors use a variety of techniques to convey conflict, themes and emotion. Throughout

 m. Paul Young expresses these ideas through the literary concepts of the novel, The Shack, W similes and metaphors, imagery and allusions. Wm. Paul Young’s novel, The Shack , contains many similes and metaphors. The author uses similes throughout the novel to enhance the reader's understanding of the conflict and various themes. For instance, “Mack never talks much about him, but when he does his face loses emotion like a tide going out, leaving dark and lifeless eyes” (Young 8). The author compares Mack’s emotionless expression to how a tide washes out, leaving nothing behind. By using this comparison, the author is able to convey the pain Mack feels about his past. The reader can infer that Mack goes through many tough experiences in his past, thus his loss of emotion when he recalls those memories. Through this simile Mack’s painful past is revealed. Enduring the abuse in his childhood, Mack grows up to be a reserved adult. He seldom shares his thoughts with others, so as not to burden the listener with his pain. Mack’s traumatic experiences slowly mold him into becoming a detached and solitary human being. Mack does not come to terms with his past and refuses to forgive the cause of those horrible experiences, his father. His lack of affection for his father, a church-elder, causes in severing his trust and relationship with God. The absence of trust in God contributes to the main conflict of Mack blaming himself for the death of his daughter, Missy. The reader gains an understanding of the origin of the conflict through this simile. The reader is also able to understand through this simile, the theme that

2 people find it difficult to forgive others that cause them harm. Mack feels a strong hatred for what his abusive father does to him in his childhood and continues to struggle with his past. The indication that Mack “loses emotion” when he talks about his childhood means that he is not able to confront those memories and reconcile with his father. He feels that his father wrongfully treats him and cannot bear the thought of forgiving him. The author uses this simile to create meaning, develop conflict and convey theme very accurately. Similarly, Christy Brown also uses

 or instance, “I was lonely[...]separated from them similes to convey conflict in My Left Foot. F (his family) as though a glass wall stood between my existence and theirs” (Brown 74). The author compares the separation of two things with a wall to his own feelings of separation and loneliness. He uses the idea of a glass wall as a barrier to convey how he can see his family but cannot converse and join them. The glass wall represents his physical disabilities that result in the separation of his and the family member’s lives. Christy Brown effectively demonstrates his conflicts through similes, alike to Wm. Paul Young. Young also uses metaphors throughout the novel to enhance the reader's understanding of the conflict and themes. As he states, “It (Sophia’s laughter) was a shower of light, and invitation to talk, and Mack chuckled along with her, not even knowing or caring why” (Young 154). The author compares Sophia’s laughter to something beautiful and breathtaking, a shower of light. By using this comparison, the author is able to convey the beauty and allure that Mack experiences. By hearing her captivating laughter, Mack is able to genuinely laugh along too. The author uses this metaphor to show how Mack is able to laugh with a little coaxing. Throughout the novel, Mack does not allow himself to enjoy the happiness of life as a punishment for Missy’s death. However, Mack finally lets go of his guilt, stops “caring why” and allows himself to laugh, to share his happiness. The author uses the

3 metaphor to mark the beginning of Mack’s healing process from his inner struggle with guilt. The reader is also able to understand through this metaphor, the theme that attractive people are unconsciously perceived as more likeable and trustworthy. Along with Sophia’s beautiful laughter, Mack also describes her as physically stunning. Mack shows an instant fondness towards this stranger solely based on her appearance and the way she carries herself with authority. During this brief encounter, Mack never learns the woman’s name. Yet, he is able to laugh and easily share his most inner thoughts and conflicts with her. The author shows how Mack was able to instantly deem a stranger to be likeable and trustworthy based on appearance and attractiveness. The author uses this metaphor to enhance his meaning and convey conflict and a theme. Likewise, Christy Brown also uses metaphors to convey a theme in My Left Foot. As he states, “Mother was slowly, patiently pulling down the wall, brick by brick, that seemed to thrust itself between me and the other children[...]. It was hard, heartbreaking work” (Brown 73). Christy Brown explores the theme that humans naturally work harder for the success of their own family compared to that of others. His mother constantly tests her emotional strength by “patiently pulling down the wall”, or in other terms, help Christy overcome his difficulties. She works with his disabilities with the hope of finding a clue that Christy’s mind is not crippled. Meanwhile, doctors and relatives insist that Christy is a lost case and that she should not waste her time. The mother is only capable of keeping her faith and doing all this work because of the idea that Christy is family. Christy Brown successfully conveys a theme through his metaphors. Wm. Paul Young uses similes and metaphors throughout the novel to convey many concepts effectively. During the story, the reader also encounters imagery alongside these similes and metaphors.

4 Wm. Paul Young consistently utilizes imagery based diction. The author uses auditory imagery to present a purpose and setting. As he states, “A cold front out of Canada then descended and was held in place by a swirling wind that roared down the Gorge from eastern Oregon” (Young 14). The author uses onomatopoeia such as “swirling” and “roared” as a way to convey sound to the reader. Reading such words that represent sound creates a sense of tangibility to what the author is alluding to.The current example is also a set up to create pathetic fallacy. The technique in which the author describes the cold and merciless weather creates the atmosphere of irritation, pain and sadness. Later, due to the weather, Mack injures himself and his mood rapidly changes, thus matching the weather. The reader can also infer that currently it is winter, as the weather is harshly cold. The phrases “cold front out of Canada” and “swirling wind[...]from eastern Oregon” indicate that Mack lives in the northwestern part of America. His circumstance requires him to live close to Canada and on the west side of “eastern Oregon” to experience the weather he has. The author continues to use tactile imagery throughout the novel. For instance, “with rough ice and sharp gravel gouging his hands and knees, Mack half crawled and half slid” (Young 18). The author uses the specific diction to convey to the reader what Mack is physically experiencing in terms of pain. These words are generally known to have unpleasant textures, making it possible for the reader to understand what the author is explaining. The tactile statement also contributes to the setting of winter and cold representing pain and irritation. A theme can also be explored that humans are able to go through great lengths to free themselves when they feel pain and suffering. Mack is able to endure the maddening pain of crawling on gravel in order to get back to his home and treat his crucial head wound. If he does not bear any head wound, he would not have been able to take the additional pain gravel

5 provides. Similarly, Hernando Tellez also uses tactile imagery in his short story Lather and Nothing Else. As he states, “The man closed his eyes wearily and awaited the cool caress of the lather” (Tellez 343). Through this example, the reader can infer that the story takes place in a barber shop, as the character is awaiting a shave. Additionally, the phrase “awaited the cool caress” indicates that it must be summer. If the customer is “awaiting” the feel of having something cool on him, he is positively anticipating it. People only want something cool when the temperature is hot, such as summer. Tellez uses tactile diction to convey setting to the readers. Wm. Paul Young also uses olfactory imagery throughout the story. For instance, “The scent of blooms began to fill the air, not just the drifting aroma of wild mountain flowers, but the richness of roses and orchids and other exotic fragrances found in more tropical climes” (Young 81). Suddenly, the appearance of flowers in the middle of winter show a change of setting. Mack has been transported to the scene of God’s shack. His new surroundings of budding spring and beautiful gardens creates a pleasant and happy atmosphere. Pathetic fallacy is also present here as Mack’s mood instantly lightens after seeing all the beauty in front of him. This moment marks the beginning of his healing process from his inner struggles as he is about to meet the beings that will guide him through his short journey of learning and healing. Likewise, Lather and Nothing Else by Hernando Tellez, also contains olfactory diction. For instance, “ I finished tying the knot against his nape, which smelt of sweat” (Tellez 343). The costumer, Captain Torres, is sweating either because of the heat or his feelings of nervousness and fright. Through his feelings, a conflict between the barber and the customer is revealed. Captain Torres is scared of the barber in this situation as the barber has the power and opportunity to kill him. The Captain values his own life, yet he is giving the barber the choice to choose, resulting in his fearful state

6 of sweating. Gustatory diction can also be found throughout the novel, The Shack . As Mack states, “Fresh vegetables spiced with who but God knew what, all fruity and gingery, tangy and peppery” (Young 105). The author is conveying the quality and richness of the dinner that Papa (God) makes. Through this description, the intimate moment of a family talking and sharing their thoughts while enjoying a good meal together can be seen. Through this pleasant moment, Mack naturally gets comfortable in his new surroundings, which allows Papa to finally start solving Mack’s personal problems. A good meal represents the beginning of a new relationship. The span of dinner contributes to the resolvance of Mack’s conflicts as the tasty meal allows Mack to start his journey to freedom. Lastly, the author also uses visual imagery throughout the novel. For example, “He could make out the shack, where smoke leisurely rose from the red, brick chimney as it nestled against the greens of the orchard and forest. But dwarfing it all was a massive range of mountains that hovered above and behind, like sentinels standing guard” (Young 144). The author’s description results in a beautiful scenery. Through this picture, the author is focusing on how humans should explore and find the hidden beauties in the world that are available as Mack himself treks out to see this view. Through this small journey, Mack resolves some of his conflict as he realizes that life is short so he should forgive others and enjoy what he has. Mack reconciles with his father and Missy’s murderer, for they are not to be blamed. Humans develop into their personalities through their own traumatic experiences. The beauty Mack sees represents how one should keep one’s life beautiful and lively too. The setting changes to a beautiful shack creating the feelings of a happy, content and fulfilled atmosphere. Slowly, the author reveals the theme that humans tend to linger over events that have caused them harm. Mack continues to let Missy’s murder haunt him for four years until he learns that

7 the situation was not his fault. Mack could have spent those four years enjoying life happily with his three other kids and wife. Mack learns to let go of his traumatic experiences and forgive the people that harm him so he can lead a peaceful life. Wm. Paul Young uses imagery based diction throughout the novel to convey setting and other concepts. In companion with this imagery, many allusions are also revealed. Throughout the novel the narrator contains many allusions. The author makes references to well known stories to convey the conflict. For instance, “you are beginning to see why eating the deadly fruit of that tree was so devastating to your race” (Young 133). The author is creating an allusion to the story of Adam, Eve and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He is conveying how, “eating the deadly fruit” is the beginning of human’s independence from God, ultimately leading to destruction. The novel explores how independence creates confusion, greed, war, fear and loss among humans. Humans are deciding what is bad and what is good through their own ignorant and selfish judgement. When they encounter a contradiction to their beliefs, they turn to anger and havock. The world is now corrupt and greedy for individual power. Papa consistently tells Mack to give up his preconceived rights and join God in love and trust to live in peace and harmony again. Joining God can heal Mack’s sadness, grief and teach him to have insight into the positiveness in people.Through this allusion, the author explores the theme that humans are inherently greedy for power and knowledge. Adam and Eve eat the fruit out of curiosity and tempt for more knowledge of what is good and evil, more power and its presumable tastiness. Although they are forbidden to eat the fruit, the restrictions and power it holds convinces them to break God’s rules. Adam and Eve portray how humans are naturally greedy when it comes to power and knowledge. The author also refers to well known time

8 periods to convey emotion. For example, “The Great Sadness  had descended and in differing degrees cloaked everyone” (Young 64). The Great Sadness  refers to The Great Depression. The sudden stock market crash sent millions into poverty, resulting in a decade of despair. Similarly, but not on the same level, The Great Sadness  consists of despair too. Both contain sudden loss, one with money and the other with the murder of Missy. Mack loses a precious member of his family and feels it is solely his fault. The whole family mourns their loss for four years until they finally understand that Missy is alright and content with Papa. The author skillfully utilizes this allusion to convey the emotion The Great Sadness  holds. Likewise, William Golding also uses an allusion in his novel, Lord of the Flies . As he states, “When we was coming down I looked through one of them windows. I saw the other part of the plane. There were flames coming out of it” (Golding 2). The plane crash these children experience is a part of World War Ⅱ. England sends out their children in planes to foreign countries for their safety. If England gets invaded by Hitler, these children could grow up and reclaim their land. However, this specific plane is under attack and crashes into an uninhabited island. William Golding uses the elements of history to successfully use an allusion to convey setting and create a purpose for his text. Wm. Paul Young uses many allusions throughout the novel to convey conflict and emotion.

9 Works Cited Crane, Mary, Amanda Joseph, and Barbara Fullerton. "Lather and Nothing Else." Sightlines 10: Academic and Applied . Vol. Illustrated. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada, 2000. 402. Print. Crane, Mary, Amanda Joseph, and Barbara Fullerton. "My Left Foot." Sightlines 10: Academic and Applied . Vol. Illustrated. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada, 2000. 402. Print. Golding, William, and Edmund L. Epstein. Lord of the Flies: A Novel . New York: Perigee, 1954. Print. Young, Wm. Paul, Wayne Jacobsen, and Brad Cummings. The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity . Newbury Park: Windblown Media, 2007. Print....