Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey Book Analysis Essay Example

Whether you're talking about society hundred years ago or society now, there is still a huge amount of prejudice present wherever you go. To think that prejudice is so deep rooted into humanity's history, that we are still learning how to eliminate it today. Craig Silvey, an Australian author, find inspiration within the book ‘How to kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, and incorporates his own Australian vernacular to convey to audiences the injustices seen in Australian society; producing his novel, Jasper Jones. Readers are submerged into the town of Corrigan, where they are exposed to first hand experiences of both prejudice and the role of scapegoats through the characters and their journeys.

Composers incorporate distinct qualities to demonstrate to audiences the idea that prejudice can be so deeply ingrained in a society,  that it clouds an individual's mindset and unknowingly pressures them to give into a toxic mob mentality. Through the utilisation of Australian vernacular, Silvey showcases this prejudice in Jasper Jones through the town of Corrigan, a microcosm of 20th Century Australia. . When the boys discover Laura Wishart’s body, Silvey uses Australian dialogue to express Jasper's frustration towards Charlie when he says “ Open your eyes mate”, as Charlie is still left clueless as to why Jasper would be blamed for this incident. Charlie's reaction mirrors the larger group in society who are conditioned to ignore all prejudice, as they themselves are not the ones experiencing it. This then leaves audiences able to recognise the simple truth that prejudice is not acknowledged by society as only minorities experience it, evoking empathy within themselves for Jasper's character. Jasper then pushes Charlie further by challenging his subconscious mob mentality as he says “Who was the first person you thought of? Who was the first person who come out of your mouth?”. Silveys incorporation of poetic manner through rhetorical question, strips away Charlie's mindset which was heavily influenced by his societal values. This questioning by Jasper marks the beginning of the journey that Charlie takes in which he finally realises the town's extreme prejudice towards those whose racial status isn't the same as the majority, revealing an uncomfortable truth about humanity .  By incorporating poetic language, Silvey perfectly captures the moment in which Charlie finally accepts the prejudice that exists within the town of Corrigan in the quote, “And it happens like that. Like when you first realise that there is no such thing as magic. Or that nothing actually answers your prayers, or really even listens. That cold moment of dismay, where your feet are kicked from under you…”. As readers empathise with Charlie's loss of innocence, they are urged to reflect upon their own society, and acknowledge experiences regarding prejudice towards themselves or others. Therefore, Silvey’s distinct use of Australian vernacular and poetic dialogue is used to compel  audience to understand that society will always have prejudice which will go unnoticed as the majority of its people are subject to the mob mentality which has formed as a consequence. 

Authors utilise distinct qualities to convey to audiences that as a result of prejudice, minorities often unwillingly take on the role of scapegoat in society. Jasper is a prime example of this, as Silvey demonstrates how Jasper is always the one blamed for any wrong doing through the use of Australian vernacular. Through the careful crafting of the statement, “This town they think I’m a bloody animal. They think I belong in a cage, and this here is just an excuse to lock me up in one.”, Silvey intelligently utilities Australian vernacular and metaphor to showcases how Jaspers experiences of being the scapegoat has significantly shifted the way he views his society. Audiences are able to see how Jasper is labelled as the convenient scapegoat just because of his racial status within the mainly ‘white’ town of Corrigan. Silvey created this town to show how it is a microcosm of the world we live in today, and alludes to the injustices present in Aborginal Australian history as a result of racial status and social hierarchy. In the quote, “It means they have been led astray. It means they have been waylaid by the devil!”, Silvey uses poetic dialogue to skillfully encapsulates the ignorant mindset of those who view Jasper as the one who is behind all the trouble. This also highlights to the readers the hypocrisy that exists within the society, as we see figures of authority who are seen as respectable, becoming different people behind closed doors and committing crimes the that they will all collectively blame Jasper for, simply because of the racial differences between them. Silvey's portrayal of Jasper as the scapegoat sheds light upon the corrupted society we live in today, as readers distinguish the inequality of treatment towards those who have a different racial status to the majority.