I'm Not Scared

[MBBS]

Has anybody read it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is my last SAC before year 12 for Literature.

[the.watchman]

Has anybody read it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is my last SAC before year 12 for Literature.

Um, I've read it, but I don't know how much help I'll be

[Russ]

What do you want an opinion on? I haven't read it recently, but I can see it sitting on my bookshelf from my desk

[MBBS]

1) Can you recommend two passages for me to write a Close Analysis?

2) Michele's father is a bit of a mystery to me. He is portrayed in both good and bad light throughout the book. What's your view?

[Russ]

Had a quick flick through, try the bit at the start where Melichetti speaks to the kids and tells them about the "truth"/old Rome compared to the bit where he tells Filippo he's an angel come to take him to heaven. (p11 and p140 in my copy)

Or where he trades the secret for a Subbuteo team compared to at the end, when he doesn't take the red dragon bike.

It was a very quick flick through

The father is stuck between a rock and a hard place, he's got a daughter that needs an operation and a family to support...there's plenty of snapshots of him trying to be the best person he can be, but is willing to take shortcuts to get there..."shortcuts" is probably the wrong word, since it's really his only option.

Check the historical setting of the novel, it was written in a period where Italy was tearing itself apart.

[the.watchman]

Check the historical setting of the novel, it was written in a period where Italy was tearing itself apart.

Yeah, the Years of Lead (I think they were called) was a time of rampant terrorism. There were plenty of kidnappings, particularly by the poorer people, to 'get rich quick'.

[MBBS]

Wow, thanks to both of you!

That's the exact impression I got from the father, just didn't know how to word it. I think 'short cuts' is better replaced by the colloquialism 'Faustian Bargain?'

[Russ]

It's not really a colloquial reference, it's more of a cliche but yeah it's a decent description.

But the father is still willing to kill the kid at the end, so I wouldn't be overly sympathetic.

[MBBS]

I was under the impression that the father didn't want to kill the kid at the end hence it was left to Skull's big brother. Prompting the whole 'poofta' conversation. It confused me.

[Russ]

Unless I'm misremembering, he still goes doesn't he?

[MBBS]

The book closes with Sergio, Papa and Skull's brother all going to execute the boy. Then they pick up Michele.

In a nutshell yes your right. Russ, are you a current VCE student?

[eeps]

2) Michele's father is a bit of a mystery to me. He is portrayed in both good and bad light throughout the book. What's your view?

My personal thoughts of Papa was that yes, he was both good and bad. Good in the sense that he realised his family was in poverty and struggling to make ends meat, thus he made the choice to kidnap Filippo (the boy in the hole) to order to make some money for his family - he at least had good intentions.

“Papa was the bogeyman. By day he was good but at night he was bad.”

Though in saying that he is bad, he committed an act which lost the trust of his own son. Also, he didn't have a real connection with his daughter and son - Pino displayed disinterest towards his children, unless forced to involve himself. Pino’s gift of a gondola exemplifies just how really out of touch he is. It symbolises his desire for greater material wealth and comfort, and his ignorance of his children’s real desires such as Michelle’s wish for a Subbuteo team.

[Russ]

The book closes with Sergio, Papa and Skull's brother all going to execute the boy. Then they pick up Michele.

In a nutshell yes your right. Russ, are you a current VCE student?

I always thought that Papa went alone, hence the solider's match stick game and the comment about him always losing. Are you reading the others as the dark figures on the hill? I guess that could make sense.

And no, I finished a couple of years ago. Biomed @ UoM now, but I always did have a thing for lit

[MBBS]

^^
Yes, I get the impression that they all ended up going. I'm re-reading it so I'll post my opinion regarding that after I finish it.

'EPL.11.4ever.' that's a good summary.

Russ, what SS did you get for Literature + you looking at doing post-grad med?

[Russ]

Didn't have room for lit in year 12, took history subjects instead. Probably my biggest regret, since I probably could have done it as a sixth subject just for the enjoyment

Yeah I am, I'll probably get into UoM's MD given my marks and gamsat result but *crosses fingers*