Literary Analysis #1
Summary:
The novel I have finished reading is The Assassin's Game written by Kristy McKay. This thrilling fiction book has had me anticipating the next pages and finally knowing the ending left me in shock. The story takes place on an island owned by Cate's parents. This very island is far from the mainland and doesn't really have access to the internet unless advised by authorities. Cate attends "Umfraville" where there is a secret society going on. School officials know of it, but they only know pranks are the only result, no physical harm done to its members. To be apart of this secret society one must be chosen and successfully pass initiation. This society has 13 members and a grand master (someone who facilitates the game). Out of all the members, there is a "Killer" who must "kill" (not literally) through a series of pranks. If a player is "killed" they are out of the game and must face the humiliation of the prank as well as being removed from the guild. The story thickens when a person from within the secret society wants to kill one of its members who happen to be the main character, Cate.
Theme:
The theme of this novel is revenge. As the story progresses the main character, Cate, is said to be the "next target" although the person threatening her isn't the actual killer in the game. The game is only supposed to have one killer although someone breaks the rules in order to get back at Cate. However, she does have ideas as to who the killer may be, but assuming leads her to a shocking revelation in the end.
Author's Morning:
Based on the author's tone, the author's morning routine seems like the type to be sleeping in until she is woken up by her spouse. She would sleep late and drink coffee to have her thoughts constantly flowing. A way to relieve stress would be to exercise and do yoga before she tackles the next chapters of her writing. Kristin Mckay seems like one who wouldn't drink alcoholic beverages to the point where she is hungover in the morning regretting her decisions.
Literary Techniques:
As I was reading, the literary techniques that strengthened my understanding about the theme were foreshadowing, imagery, characterization and flashbacks.
Foreshadowing:
"... I back out from underneath the desk and stand up slowly, looking inside the mug-- I'm watching you" (McKay 94). Unlike any of the past targets, Cate is the only one receiving hints that she is the next target.
"'Nothing too bad- he didn't hurt me. He asked me about how I felt about you, and then he went all weird and kissed me. Pushed me down on the sofa, wouldn't let me go'" (McKay 263). This excerpt makes Daniel seem like he has a grudge against Cate since the feelings between them aren't mutual.
"'Not the real, one in the Game. It's Daniel.'
'No way!' Vaughan leans up on his elbow. 'Are you sure'
'Yep,' I say. 'Found the Killer card in his violin case'" (McKay 262).
This excerpt shows how Cate could possibly already know who the person who is targeting her but as the story.
Imagery:
"Becky's palm on the glass squishes the red, and it runs down the inside of the door. Red drips down the glass in long, graceful drips..." (McKay 70).
"...She is treading water, skinny stick arms fiddling with her swimming cap, tring to push those enviable blond curls underneath the rubber. The she swims to the edge of the pool, pushes off, and starts to head back the other way. A trail of red following her" (McKay 86).
These two excerpts are significant because of how the pranks are executed. Since there is a rogue in the game the styles they carry out their pranks is fairly easy to differentiate. (It could be a way to symbolize their signature without having leads toward them)
"Something clatters onto the wooden floor. We both look down; Alex has dropped the modeling knife. We dive for it; I get there first, but the full weight of him falls on my head, making my ears ring" (McKay 312).
Characterization:
"...She's altogether a hot kind of girl. She speaks six languages fluently, has a banging figure and the shiniest black hair you ever did see..." (McKay 69).
"Alex sighs. 'And I thought you were special, Cate. Special like me. But it turns out you're oh so very ordinary. Basic. Bland. Forgettable. And you know what? Around here, that's the biggest crime of all'"(McKay 308).
Flashback:
"I hate it that he can switch on that power, like he won something from me just because we kissed that one time. And now it's some horrible in-joke between the two of us" (McKay 6).
"I mock frown at his use of my nickname, and he giggles and the eight-year old comes back. It breaks my heart. Suddenly I want to tell him I'm sorry for getting into that car all those years ago and never looking back"(McKay 76). This shows how Cate's affection is toward someone else who was from her childhood.
"'Let me get this straight.' My voice sounds slurred, even to me. 'I didn't follow you around like a lovesick puppy after we got together,' I sputter, "so now you want to kill me?" (McKay 308).
The novel I have finished reading is The Assassin's Game written by Kristy McKay. This thrilling fiction book has had me anticipating the next pages and finally knowing the ending left me in shock. The story takes place on an island owned by Cate's parents. This very island is far from the mainland and doesn't really have access to the internet unless advised by authorities. Cate attends "Umfraville" where there is a secret society going on. School officials know of it, but they only know pranks are the only result, no physical harm done to its members. To be apart of this secret society one must be chosen and successfully pass initiation. This society has 13 members and a grand master (someone who facilitates the game). Out of all the members, there is a "Killer" who must "kill" (not literally) through a series of pranks. If a player is "killed" they are out of the game and must face the humiliation of the prank as well as being removed from the guild. The story thickens when a person from within the secret society wants to kill one of its members who happen to be the main character, Cate.
Theme:
The theme of this novel is revenge. As the story progresses the main character, Cate, is said to be the "next target" although the person threatening her isn't the actual killer in the game. The game is only supposed to have one killer although someone breaks the rules in order to get back at Cate. However, she does have ideas as to who the killer may be, but assuming leads her to a shocking revelation in the end.
Author's Morning:
Based on the author's tone, the author's morning routine seems like the type to be sleeping in until she is woken up by her spouse. She would sleep late and drink coffee to have her thoughts constantly flowing. A way to relieve stress would be to exercise and do yoga before she tackles the next chapters of her writing. Kristin Mckay seems like one who wouldn't drink alcoholic beverages to the point where she is hungover in the morning regretting her decisions.
Literary Techniques:
As I was reading, the literary techniques that strengthened my understanding about the theme were foreshadowing, imagery, characterization and flashbacks.
Foreshadowing:
"... I back out from underneath the desk and stand up slowly, looking inside the mug-- I'm watching you" (McKay 94). Unlike any of the past targets, Cate is the only one receiving hints that she is the next target.
"'Nothing too bad- he didn't hurt me. He asked me about how I felt about you, and then he went all weird and kissed me. Pushed me down on the sofa, wouldn't let me go'" (McKay 263). This excerpt makes Daniel seem like he has a grudge against Cate since the feelings between them aren't mutual.
"'Not the real, one in the Game. It's Daniel.'
'No way!' Vaughan leans up on his elbow. 'Are you sure'
'Yep,' I say. 'Found the Killer card in his violin case'" (McKay 262).
This excerpt shows how Cate could possibly already know who the person who is targeting her but as the story.
Imagery:
"Becky's palm on the glass squishes the red, and it runs down the inside of the door. Red drips down the glass in long, graceful drips..." (McKay 70).
"...She is treading water, skinny stick arms fiddling with her swimming cap, tring to push those enviable blond curls underneath the rubber. The she swims to the edge of the pool, pushes off, and starts to head back the other way. A trail of red following her" (McKay 86).
These two excerpts are significant because of how the pranks are executed. Since there is a rogue in the game the styles they carry out their pranks is fairly easy to differentiate. (It could be a way to symbolize their signature without having leads toward them)
"Something clatters onto the wooden floor. We both look down; Alex has dropped the modeling knife. We dive for it; I get there first, but the full weight of him falls on my head, making my ears ring" (McKay 312).
Characterization:
"...She's altogether a hot kind of girl. She speaks six languages fluently, has a banging figure and the shiniest black hair you ever did see..." (McKay 69).
"Alex sighs. 'And I thought you were special, Cate. Special like me. But it turns out you're oh so very ordinary. Basic. Bland. Forgettable. And you know what? Around here, that's the biggest crime of all'"(McKay 308).
Flashback:
"I hate it that he can switch on that power, like he won something from me just because we kissed that one time. And now it's some horrible in-joke between the two of us" (McKay 6).
"I mock frown at his use of my nickname, and he giggles and the eight-year old comes back. It breaks my heart. Suddenly I want to tell him I'm sorry for getting into that car all those years ago and never looking back"(McKay 76). This shows how Cate's affection is toward someone else who was from her childhood.
"'Let me get this straight.' My voice sounds slurred, even to me. 'I didn't follow you around like a lovesick puppy after we got together,' I sputter, "so now you want to kill me?" (McKay 308).
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