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Exploring Mortality and Identity in Postmodern Adolescent Literature

This analysis delves into the themes of mortality, trauma, and the quest for identity in contemporary adolescent literature. Through the lens of a fragmented narrative, we examine characters such as Adam, who grapples with his father's absence and the harsh realities of life and death. We also explore the implications of manipulation and power dynamics presented in the novel. The intersection of various narratives challenges readers to reconsider the representation of adolescence and the journey toward self-discovery amidst chaos.

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Exploring Mortality and Identity in Postmodern Adolescent Literature

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  1. Standing Alone HUM 3285: Postmodern Adolescent Literature Spring 2012 Dr. Perdigao February 1, 2012

  2. Revelations • Reality of death “‘We are all mortal’”; “‘We must all die someday’” (208) • Representation of mother (200, 201) • Fragmentation • Hope for father’s escape, rewriting ending • Trauma • Repression • Screaming (191-192, 199)

  3. Surviving Adolescence? • Third annual questioning • Age 17? • Adam’s precarious placement at the novel’s end • Surviving adolescence, trapped within it, retreat to childhood • Perversion of MacLeod’s notion of the guide/guru in Brint “‘I am merely your guide to the past. I don’t direct you. In fact, I often follow where you lead’” (170). • Here, manipulation, power games

  4. Deconstructing the Narrative • Narratives intersect between questions and narrative filled in (201) • Brint as Grey? • What Adam knows • Man “taller than ever” as Thompson/Grey? (201) • Gray pants • Does he suppress the knowledge that Brint wants?

  5. Cycling, Circling Narratives • Retreating as journey on bike • Relationship between the narratives • Intersection of narratives when Whipper pushed him into the ditch, unresponsive (96-97) • Already has forgotten Amy and the phone calls when he returns to the bike (204) • Trapped inside the gates, enclosed system (205)

  6. CLUE • First two letters of mystery novel as key: “‘I’ll show you a mystery novel in which the first two letters of the first word of the first chapter hold the secret to the book!’” (33). • Resolution with identified characters • Mr. Harvester, maintenance man=man at the gas station • Whipper, Dobbie, Lewis • Luke, switchboard operator=diner • Arthur, Junior Varney

  7. Resolutions? • Asks what happened to his father, doesn’t know what happened (208) • Learns father is dead (208) • Dupont and the box • Keeps singing, finally finishes the song http://www.dltk-teach.com/rhymes/farmer/song.htm • Pokey the Pig • Adam forgets identity, Paul, Adam Farmer, other name (210) • Only identifies as the cheese

  8. Final Transcripts • File Data 865-01 • Subject A • Personnel #2222 • Department I-R • Witness #599-6 • Termination • Whether the knowledge is there, repressed, “psychological residue” (212) • His death as advisory, terminated or kept until he dies

  9. Loopiness • Begins again • Mirrors chapter 1

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