Character Analysis of Lara Ritchie in Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn

INTRODUCTION
The novel ‘Thunderwith’ by Libby Hathorn is a heart touching novel which relates to a teenager called Lara Ritchie. In the novel, the protagonist Lara feels completely alone after the death of her mother, which forces her to move to her father’s family in Bulahdelah Mountains. She is an intruder in her father’s family where she has to face multiple day to day problems between Gladwyn (stepmother) and her kids. Lara feels she will never be accepted and loved until she finds the mysterious dog Thunderwith .In the text, the author has used some literary devices such as cohesive devices, spelling, language devices, to enhance the story within itself. These techniques are mainly used to add reality within the text and to create a better communication among the characters. The intention of this paper is to discuss the use of many different literary devices within the text used by the author.

BODY

The language technique of imagery plays an important role within the text ‘Thunderwith’. This technique is used to create a mental picture of the scene by using descriptive language. Imagery makes a piece of work more realistic and helps the reader to visualise and experience the author’s writing in depth. An example of imagery is when Hathorn writes “Running and running through the forest up into the hills, effortlessly, gliding over rocks and bushes. Almost flying ……..She reached upwards to the empty air. She tried to call his name but the cry froze in her throat” .In this example, the author creates a mental image of Lara and Thunderwith by using descriptive words such as gliding and flying which makes the authors writing more realistic.

The language technique of suspense is used within the text ‘Thunderwith’ to create an in...

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... spelling/colloquial language within the text is when Pearl says “Who wants a prezzie?” This example has word from Australian slang which is ‘prezzie’ and is also spelled in a very creative way. The original word for ‘prezzie’ is prize.

CONCLUSION
The use of many different literary devices has allowed the reader to read the story with a great interest. These different techniques have allowed the author to create different affects within the text such as suspense, imagery, resolution, mood and spelling. These techniques have enhanced the way characters communicate with each other and have added reality within the text. This novel is a real life example which let us know that how teenagers face different problems at a certain point of life when there is no one to help/support them. If someone is in a huge trouble, then there will always be a Thunderwith to help them.