In The Nick Of Time is a rapid yet dull travelling narrative of change that incorporates many popular trends of the 1950s all packed up into a single book! The midst of the 1900s was certainly exceedingly contrasting to the 21st century, and so dealing with life 50 years before birth is not as an automatically facile, but is it manageable? The book is regarding a girl named Charlotte (Charlie) Livingstone whose grandfather (John Lee) is dying of age. In order to prevent over thinking about her grandfather’s predicted end, she goes on a walk in the Cold Tarn Woods with her best friend Pip (Phillipa). Though through a quick unforeseen event, she goes back in time with the power of a few stepping-stones. 1952 is the destination in which ends up in the Cold Tarn Open Air School. Miss Carrington, the Headmistress, has mistaken her for a girl named Joyce Ingham, and with confusion set upon her; she believed it was only an act of a television series. As a result, Charlie now needs to blend in with the students of this era and in order to do this; her modern behaviour is most definitely not welcome. Opportunely, a boy named Jack Lee, a fellow student, is persuaded that she is not whom everyone thinks she is. The outcome to this is an adventure to prove who she is once and for all but is it enough? Will fellow students, the Headmistress, Miss Stafford or even Mr. Newberry (Old Two Biscuits) believe her after showing proof? Will the people she once thought were characters in a television series be able to guide her back to her time era, or will she be a prisoner that is life-longed seized in the nick of time? Throughout the book, Charlie and Jack might seem like the best of friends, but that was not seen by the initial impression. This is... ... middle of paper ... ...long with the passing of relatives and closed ones. Nothing stays the same, and this theme takes part of life. In my judgement, I believe that ‘In The Nick Of Time’ is a quick book of events, yet is quite dull. The readers I would recommend to read this book are between the ages of 9-11 who greatly enjoy reading as a hobby. This is mainly due to the unchallenging vocabulary and undemanding historical knowledge in order to fully comprehend the book. Though this book could also be for historical analysis when it comes to the attitude of people during the 1950s. ‘In The Nick Of Time’ contains lots of information in concern to the Open Air Schools, and shows hints towards the relationship and tone used at the time. Readers who enjoy slow and detailed novels will certainly dislike this narrative, and I suggest readers to avoid reading the book for recreational purposes.
At the beginning of the novel, Golding describes Jack's physical appearance as "inside the floating cloak he was tall, thin and bony; his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled and ugly without silliness" (20). Jack's original intentions were to keep an organized group on the island. Jack agrees with Ralph when he brings the group together, saying, "I agree with Ralph. We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are the best at everything. So we've got to do the right things" (42). Although originally portrayed as a pretty normal boy, evidence of his hostility begins to emerge. While Piggy is talking, Jack exclaims, "you're talking to much. Shut up fatty" (21).
At this stage of the story we are compelled to feel a little bit sorry for Charlie who has been separated from his father.
Ralph and Jack are characters that hold important symbolism in Golding’s novel and the significance of their relationship is quite evident as events begin to unfold. When Ralph gets elected as leader of their group, Jack Merridew is evidently mortified at the prospect of losing leadership against Ralph. In an effort to pacify Jack’s anger, Ralph negotiates with Jack and gives him authority over the choir boys. Satisfied with Ralph’s courtesy, both boys develop mutual respect and their relationship advances into acquaintanceship which only takes a matter of time to fall apart.
High school students in many American schools first read this book in an English class, which has been a staple for many schools. A required reading assignment exposes many more people to the book. Even though the book is considered to be a children’s book by many, it is still enjoyed by people of all ages.
Stephanie Coontz's essay `What we really miss about the 1950's' is an essay that talks about a poll taken in 1996 by the Knight-Ridder news agency that more Americans preferred 1950's as the best decade for children to grow up. Coontz doesn't believe that it is a decade for people to remember fondly about, except for financial reasons and better communication within families. Coontz doesn't believe in it as the best decade because of the votes, the 50's only won by nine percent, and especially not by African Americans. Examples from family and financial issues in the 50's that makes it better than other decades from 20's to 80's. She doesn't believe that the 50's should be taken `literally' because from 50's there were changes in values that caused racism, sexism discrimination against women. Even though the 50's were good, it didn't lead to a better 60, 70, and 80.
Although Charlie is a socially awkward person, in his freshman year of high school he has become friends with two exciting seniors, Patrick and Sam. Charlie gets extremely attracted to his new friend Sam but avoids admitting it. Charlie also became friends with his english teacher bill, who notices Charlie’s passion for writing and reading, during the novel Bill assigns Charlie various books outside of the school program.
He doesn’t lack of encourage anymore, he has overcome his fear and despair. “I have to go. I have to disobey every impulse and leave her for Jasper Jones, for Jack Lionel, for this horrible mess.” We see a different Charlie from his determination. From escape to face up, he shows us more responsible. From helpless to assertive, he comes to realize what he really wants. He knows the dark side of human nature and this unfair and cold world. His innocent, his perfect world has been destroyed by those horrible things; because of these, he knows the part of real world, he knows how the ‘dark’ actually changes this world, his friends, his family, included
Throughout the story, Ralph and Jack are two of the characters who probably have the least in common mainly because they are trying to outdo each other by making the others ideas and beliefs seem obscure. They are similar in their desire for control over the group, however they are completely opposite pertaining to their leadership qualities and their objectives. Author William Golding creates these characters as opposites so he could have a general conflict, which is based on man against man to contribute to his other conflicts of man against environment and man against himself. Personal reflections of this author conclude that the bizarre setting and plot are difficult to comprehend upon the first reading yet further readings would create a more enjoyable story to understand.
During the novel, the reader becomes increasingly aware of Jack’s dominating and violent tendencies. Specific actions taken are when Jack suggests using one of the younger children as a substitute pig, ties up Wilfred, and hunts Ralph. Things begin to get out of hand when the group’s game turns into a cruel beating. Not long afterwards, Jack suggests that the group
... reader. Throughout the book, Charlie unfolds secrets and truths about the world and the society that he lives in; secrets and truths that cause him to grow up and transition into adulthood. He also makes a life changing decision and rebelled against was he thought was the right thing. This reflects his maturity and bravery throughout the journey he travels that summer. Charlie eyes suddenly become open to the injustice that the town of Corrigan demonstrates. He also comes to face the issue of racism; not only shown towards his best friend Jeffrey and the Lu family but to Jasper Jones as well. He realises the town of Corrigan is unwilling to accept outsiders. Charlie not only finds out things that summer about the people that surround him, but he also finds out who he is personally.
When it comes to Jack’s fear of not being chief, it brings out the worst in him and it has an effect on others. For instance, when the boys are deciding on who should be the chief, Ralph wins by a landslide. “Even the choir applauded; and the freckles on Jack’s face disappeared under a blush of mortification” (Golding 19). That is the first physical evidence of Jack being humiliated by Ralph and judging by Jack’s personality, he is not used to failure so it has a big impact on him. This motivates him to destroy Ralph and the rivalry between the two begins. Another point is that Jack uses fear and threats to control the boys. For example, when Robert tells Roger “’He’s going to beat Wilfred.’ ‘What for?’ Robert shook his head doubtfully” (Golding 176) it shows that Jack is violent and is using his...
years set who they become to the world in the future (Tayler, 2015). The first few years of a
Charlie struggles with apparent mental illness throughout his letters, but he never explicitly addresses this problem. His friends make him realize that he is different and it is okay to be different from everyone else. This change in perspective gives Charlie new opportunities to experience life from a side he was unfamiliar with. Without these new friends, Charlie would have never dared to try on the things he has. His friends have helped him develop from an antisocial wallflower to an adventurous young man who is both brave and loyal. Transitioning shapes how the individual enters into the workforce, live independently and gain some control over their future
I see Charlie attempting desperately to act out of character. Adept at business he has shown ability, humility and perseverance. However, he seems to be out of touch with the manifested feelings of others his path has crossed.
I sat back and let the sun bathe me in its bright, reminiscent light. The atmosphere around me was quiet, but just a few feet away people were mourning a great life. It was a life that some say was “lived to the longest and the fullest.” I ,on the other hand, held a solid disagreement. The “longest” couldn’t yet be over, could it? Seventy-five just seemed too short when I had only shared thirteen years with this fabulously, wonderful woman.