Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
By Robert Cormier
Chapter 1
Summary
Francis describes in stark and brutal detail his injuries sustained
during the war, and how after the war he came to lodge with Mrs
Belander in Frenchtown where he lived as a boy. He visits the
church and says prayers for various important people in his life;
thus we are introduced to some major and minor characters:
Enrico, his mother and father, whom we learn are dead, and
Nicole Renard and Larry LaSalle. Tension is created- he states his
intention of killing Larry, but at this stage we do not know why. A
flashback to the war introduces the theme of heroism- Francis has
a Silver Star Medal, although he refuses to believe himself heroic
and reveals his love for Nicole.
!2
Language use
My name is Francis Joseph Cassavant and I have just returned to
Frenchtown in Monument and the war is over and I have no face.
compound sentence pared gives only what he considers as
essentials
metaphor I have no face why is this effective?
simile my nostrils are like two small caves why is this
effective?
Narration follows the patterns of speech how?
What do we need to be aware of with a first person narrative?
Characters
Francis disfigured and hiding, I am like the hunchback of
Notredame, my face likee a gargoyle and the dufflebag like a
lump on my back why is this allusion effective?
Mrs Belander how do her actions show attitudes towards
veterans at this time in America?
Structure
Starts with himself and full description; then hints at people and
places giving small details about his past which we need to start
to build on
Setting
From his bedsit Francis is able to see St Judes church, The
Wreck Centre and has already alluded to the war. These settings
are significant in novel as Francis reveals more about his life we
are able to see the significance of each more clearly
Themes
The physical and emotional consequences of war.
What makes someone a hero? Francis has won the Silver Star
but rejects the label of hero
Narrative Framework
Begins in present day Frenchtown, with flashback to people of
pre-war Frenchtown. Recalls the people and the places that have
!3
Bonding/friendship/heroes
Alienation Francis seem to be separated from the other people
around him despite having gone through the same experiences
so the reader is waiting fro him to explain this.
Chapter 5
Summary
Francis describes the Wreck Centre- it is now boarded up and run
down. In reminiscence he recalls the tragic story that caused the
Centre to be closed down, before Larry LaSalle started activities
for the local children there. The flattering description of Larry
comes as a surprise and wrong-foots the reader, as we know
Francis intention of killing him. Further surprises come- Larry, it
transpires was an inspirational figure to the children and helped to
bring out the best in each individual. Note however the
foreshadowing- there are rumours that Larry has gotten into
trouble in New York City. This raises questions in the mind of the
reader as to his past. Back in the present, Francis recalls that
Joey LeBlanc felt a sense of doom about the place, and that he
died n the war. He now feels that Joey was right about the placeagain creating suspense and raising questions in the mind of the
reader.
Language use
Pun wreck centre to show how place may have sinister vibes
It became a Fenchtown tradition for children to listen at the door
at the door at midnight on the night of the full moon as a rite of
passage.
I was in the seventh grade, the year that Nicole Renard came into
my life, when the halls transformation began.
Marie- Blanche lay bloody and dying
Dennis o Brein, paralysed for the rest of his life
Hervey hanged himself that evening
Attacking the building in a frenzy of activity
!8
Characters
The Frenchtown boys struggling to get back to a normal life
Setting- Cold, bitter and inhospitable
Chapter 9
Language- patriotic fever describes the drive that young men
had to enlist
Larrys action became for us the beginning of wartime in
Frenchtown again Larry is a leader and role model
Allusion to Hemingway - Farewell to Arms Franciss favourite
novel
Newsreel opens up the world another move from innocence
to experience
Dancing in the dark symbolic, backdrop for what is happens in
the relationship with Larry
two events placed together the party at wreck centre and the
bombing of pearl harbour.
first big war hero again a positive reference to Larry
Characters-Nicole and Franciss developing relationship.
Larry growing into role of heroic soldier still has strong grip on
the psyche of the town
Structure-Flashback used to show the relationship growing and
an ever-present heroic Larry. As young people they are finding
much in common and Francis is growing in confidence with
Nicoles encouragement. juxtaposition of Larry becoming a hero
and Nicole and Francis becoming close. juxtaposition of makebelieve in cinema and reality of newsreels. Children are being
drawn into the real world. Francis is able to express his own
growing confidence around Nicole, and the reader can relate to
the sensitive, passion of a first love.
The cinema in which the relationship grows is important
emphasises the make- believe of the films and the reality of the
newsreels. Seeing Larry on the newsreel again goes back to
!11
There is a stark change in Larry -He is pale, eyes sunk into the
sockets.he seems fragile now
The sweet young things
The terrible thing is that we love our sins
Does the one sin of mine wipe away all the good things?
What do you feel about Larry now?
Themes-Sin/revenge/guilt/forgiveness/heroism
Chapter 15
What is the purpose of this chapter? How effective is it?
Chapter 16
Language use
Parlour of plain furniture
Painting of saints on panelled walls why is this effective
Youve come a long way why is this effective?
The ball when it lands doesnt have the sharp sound of a
ping-pong ball on a table. Or a gunshot why is this effective?
Note use of italics to illustrate Francis thoughts how effective is
this technique/
So we talk etc. past/future
We run out of words this is effective because?
I dont want you to see me this way
But affection is not love what has Francis learned about
Nicole and himself through the course of this meeting?
Characters
The long black hair that fell to her shoulders has gone How else
has Nicole changed?
You werent to blame for what happened- Why is this significant?
Now I am starting to find out what I am, who I really am How did
the relationship with Larry stop both Nicole and Francis from
finding out what they could really do and be?
My good Francis. My table tennis champion. My Silver Star
hero Why is this effective?
!16
Themes- Forgiveness/heroism/guilt
Chapter17
Language -On their way somewhere why is this effective?
Listing of names why is this effective?
Maybe.repetition leaves a slight doubt about the future what
do you think he will do now?
nice and comfortable why is this description of the bag
important? Does it tell us anything about Franciss midset?
Setting- Train station journey, new places/new futures?
Themes-forgiveness
!17