Here's a question we discussed at Book Buzz!
What made you open the book with the line 'Go outside and play Mythil?'
I felt that it was a line that most of us could identify with. Have you ever noticed how when adults want to discuss matters that they think children shouldn't hear they think of the most unimaginative ways of asking you to leave the room? The line is also significant to the story on several levels. First, Mythil's worries stem from the fact that he is excluded from such adult conversations and left to imagine the worst. Ironically, sending him out to play, which was meant to shield him from worries, actually led to his first encounter with the yaka and all the problems that follow. Second, as a writer I guess this is a point I wanted to make - a theme, if you like, that runs throughout the book - you can't keep talking down to kids. Sometimes it's best to include them and explain adult issues so that they don't seem so scary. The book explores Mythil's thoughts and feelings as he tries to make sense of the adult world on his own.
Christos Tsiolkas
9 years ago
'Go outside and play Mythil.' -- It suggests that Mythil is unwanted 'inside' and that the parents have the conception that 'playing' is the suitable vocation for their son. The crude imperative statment effectively signposts the kind of parent-child relationship we are to expect in the book. Mythil's response in the next paragraph, 'Who am I supposed to play with anyway', shows us how vague and uncaring the parents are.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair on the parents... I think they were too wrapped up in their own problems to realise that their son was growing up and that being sent out to play was no longer the most suitable way of protecting him from the demons they battled. Though they come across as being irresponsible sometimes I think they did actually have good intentions.
ReplyDeleteRight :) And thank you for explaining more!
ReplyDelete