Writing as a spectator sport

Writing as a Spectator Sport

Prompt- 1994 In some works of literature, a character who appears briefly, or does not
appear at all, is a significant presence. Choose a novel or play of literary
merit and write an essay in which you show how such a character functions in
the work. You may wish to discuss how the character affects action, theme, or
the development of other characters. Avoid plot summary.

Prewrite

Opening Paragraph

·         Introductory statement with restatement of the prompt in a brief explanation

·         Introduce Character (‘Little Girl’) and Novel of choice (‘The Five People You Meet in Heavan’)

·         Brief sentence on ‘Little Girl’ and what she represents and why. (innocence + forgivness)

1^st body paragraph

·         Intro.

·         Who is ‘Little Girl’

Life

Personality

Home

·         Close off, link to next paragraphs point

2^nd paragraph

·         Flow from 1^st into this one

·         Touch on:

1.       Death

2.       Burns

3.       River

·         Close out, cut off, then restate idea.

3^rd paragraph

·         Open straight into closing arguments

1.       Only Two appearances

2.       Representation of idea and traits (innocence+forgivness)

3.       Revelation by main character and reader

·         Relevance to story stated clearly

Final Paragraph

·         Final statement

·         Restate points

·         Resolve and close with reflection and restatement and ratification of prompt being met (without actually saying the prompt is met.)

Essay Start

                In literature we do not often identify them but they are there. A passenger on a bus, a beggar in the street. The unsung and often barely seen heroes that drive the plot or deliver the revelations and lessons that the protagonists of our favorite novels so dearly need to experience.  These characters, though only appear briefly or never at all, are an important ingredient that can’t be left out in a good story that seeks to drive an underlying, general message. They also tend to have astronomical impact on the characters of the novel, whether they realize it or not. The novel ‘The Five People you Meet in Heaven’ contains such a character, she is the ‘Little Girl’, the fifth and final person that our protagonist must meet in order to continue his journey through the afterlife, and inevitably teaches him his most important lesson and serves as a symbol of innocence, purity, and absolute forgiveness when one is truly seeking forgiveness.

                To fully understand this character ‘Little Girl’ you must know where she comes from, her roots and what shaped her, which is only briefly referenced through description of scenery via flash back, but not fully told.  She is only a child, being no older than 10 years of age when she and lives in Vietnam during the Vietnam War in a small village that is only sparsely populated in the thick jungle.  She lived with her mother from what is told and was a child that enjoyed others presence and playing in the nearby river, which is in turn where she resides in heaven, a recreation of that very river.  She is a kind hearted and gentle-

(Well sorry folks this is where I ran out of time.)