preview

Jasper Jones Ostracism Quotes

Decent Essays

How does Craig Silvey explore the idea of ‘the outsider’ in his novel Jasper Jones? Ostracism is the product of group exclusivity, occurring in all circumstances in which a unified and cohesive faction, family, or society elects to exclude an individual. This occasion for various internal self-inflicted or external, predetermined reasons can determine the character of an individual catalysing a different perception of the value of society and autonomous purpose within that society. The role and struggle of the outsider is integral and reoccurring through Craig Silvey’s Jasper Jones. Ostracism in all its repercussions, reasons and situational milieus is explored predominantly but not exclusively through the Jasper Jones, ‘Mad’ Jack Lionel and …show more content…

An example of which is demonstrated by the brutalization of Jasper by said authorities after the disappearance of Laura Wishart vindicated by no credible evidence other than the men’s bigotry and suspicion. Jasper has no legitimate recourse to salvage or redeem his name due to the presumptions made upon his character, other than the finite redemption of his prowess in sporting and its significance as social capital in Corrigan. Jasper, disinterested in refuting the prejudiced conceptions of Corrigan’s citizens transcends their manufactured typecast of an aboriginal person through determination to improve his own situation by leaving Corrigan despite the bigoted impressions embossed on Jasper’s character regardless of his intentions or actions. Thereby, employing Jasper’s character, and, more eminently, Corrigan’s condemnation of him, Silvey explores racial bigotry as a device of social exclusion and the repercussions of which on an individual, in Jasper’s case, transcendence through initial hardships of discrimination and resultant

Get Access