Fragility of Youth Flashcards
What is the role of memories towards the brothers?
Reflect in the brothers memories of their mother.
How are memories significant to Miles and Harry?
Through the novel, the brothers use the memories of their mother to cope with the present.
How are memories important, as a whole?
They interconnect the past, present, and future.
How does Harry’s human experiences reflect the fragility of youth?
The change in Harry’s perspectives from the beginning to the end of the novel - from optimism to fear
What impacts in Harry’s life reveal the fragility of youth?
When Harry is placed in a fearful situation against his will - he goes on the boat with Miles, Dad, and Jeff
What quote reflects Harry’s youthhood?
“‘Miles! I got a show bag!… I got a Cadbury’s bag!”
- After Harry returns from Regatta and his confronted with the negativity in his home - from Miles and Dad
The readers are further displayed Harry’s youth through his curiosity, and is reflected in his relationship with the towns outcast, George. This idea is emphasized in:
“It’s alright. George is all right. He knew Grandad”
What are the techniques in: “It’s alright. George is all right. He knew Grandad”
Truncated sentences and high modality
What are the techniques in: “‘Miles! I got a show bag!… I got a Cadbury’s bag!”
Exclamation and the anaphora of ‘I’
How does Miles distract Harry at The Witches?
Telling Harry “to look at the stars”, and distracting him with stories of a lady “who hitched [to The Witches] with some bags of rice and a tent”
Why does Miles display no visible signs of youth, like Harry does?
Through his characterisation Parrett displays Miles as a caretaker for Harry. He is forced to reject the human experience of youth and become a caretaker of Harry, and assistant for Dad on the boat with Dad
Why is Miles a significant character to display the fragility of youth?
Miles is a significant character as upon his introduction we a revealed the fragility of youth as Parrett does not display the youth of Miles, the same as Harry. This is done to show that Miles’ youth has already been damaged by the human experience he has experienced.
What scene and quote displays a lack of youthful human experiences?
When Miles makes food for Harry, “Miles put Harry’s serve on a small plate so that it looked like there was more food”
- This role as a carer emphasises the anomaly of Miles’ characterisation and the paradox of him a guardian for Harry; with him taking on the role of a caretaker instead of a typical brother
A major contributor the Miles’ forced maturity and lack of youth is his life being overcome with
responsibilities, such as helping Dad on the boat. What quote reveals this?
When Miles talks to Harry about not working on the boat. “You’re so lucky you get seasick, Harry. You wouldn’t ever have to work on the boat”
A significant factor that represents Harry’s youth is his curiosity, as he befriends George. This emotion is not present in Miles as he does not endure the youthful human experience of curiosity. What quote and scene reflects this?
When Harry suggests Miles and him should stay with George for a night, Miles reacts with bewilderment, and a lack of curiosity to know. “What are you talking about? How the hell do you know him?”
