Jasper Jones Character Voice In Town

Explore the way authors use character voice in both 'Jasper Jones' and 'Town' using the following passages as the basis for your response.

Character voice is used in Craig Silvey’s novel Jasper Jones and James Roy’s series of short stories Town as a way of engaging the audience and making it an inclusive text for the reader. In both texts the author’s use of character voice paints a picture of the nature and feelings of the characters, such as; Lee’s infatuation with Briony in Town, Eliza’s ambitiousness and constant need for freedom in Jasper Jones. The character voice used for all the characters represents the personality, behaviors and traits of the individuals. It also allows the audience to see themselves as a member of the community that Town focuses on and a citizen of Corrigan, becauses of the author’s usage of specific, inclusive and descriptive language.

“But all I could think was, I wish I'd worn better pants.

I was happy with my t-shirt, but my jeans were a bit crapola. & I was thinking, I wish I hadn't worn these shoes, cos they're a bit old” (Lee, pg. 164). This statement of Lee’s gives the audience insight into the way his mind operates and his personality. By his use of colloquial language such as ‘crapola’ and ‘cos’ as well as his use of ampersands and beginning sentences with ‘but’ and ‘&’ establish his writing as non standard and very alike his thought processes, all the thoughts and feelings that Lee has are demonstrated in his story. “Whoa, that is serious. I mean, she was really cute. Way cuter than anyone I think I'd ever seen. But cute isn't even the right word. She's beautiful.” (Lee, pg. 164) The character voice that Roy has used in these sentences is consistent to the rest of Lee’s story, his use of repetition of the word ‘cute’ demonstrates his infatuation with Briony as well as his inability to filter his

thoughts.
“My mum says I'm not allowed, which is so stupid because I already know what happens, but I'm going to anyway.” (Eliza, pg. 116) Through this line of speech, the character Eliza, portrays the level of restrictions and boundaries she has in her life which impact on her personal freedom and choices. It also allows the audience to understand her personality, in particular the stubborn aspect of it. Unlike Lee, Eliza’s speech and language is not non-standard and colloquial but instead well articulated and fluent. “Well, I'll live in Manhattan and you can live in Brooklyn, and we'll meet at the Plaza Hotel for high tea. And I'll wear a fox-fur coat and penny loafers and you'll have a tartan scarf and a brown pinstripe suit. And a pipe.” (Eliza, pg. 117) In this piece of the text, Eliza once again, articulates herself in a way that seems classy, worldly, and knowledgeable. The voice that the author creates for her, helps to display the vision of her dream for the audience to see and experience as well as this though, it also displays a different side of Eliza’s personality, it shows her letting down some of her walls and allowing Charlie access to her mind.
The authors use of character voice is very important to the interpretation and understanding of the two texts, it gives the audience a deep insight into the personality and cognition of all the characters. The voice that is created for Eliza establishes her need for freedom and her want for a greater life, whereas Lee’s voice demonstrates the laid back aspects of his personality and the parts of his life that he sees as important and self defining.