Hypocrisy Theme in Jasper Jones (Novel)
HYPOCRISY VERSUS HONESTY
Silvey’s novel Jasper Jones explores the theme of social hypocrisy and honesty. A villain traditionally is dishonest and wishes to hide his dishonesty and crimes behind an appealing mask. A hero wishes to expose and challenge the hypocrisy around him/her acting with honesty and integrity. In the novel, the setting of Corrigan, as well as the characters of Shire President and Sergeant, are powerful symbols of the hypocrisy in society. Charlie Butkin- a youthful hero who is seeking moral answers- discovers the true nature of his town’s hypocrisy when Jasper Jones, the town scapegoat, comes to him seeking help after he finds the body of Laura Wishart ( the shire president’s daughter) hanging from a tree. Jasper knows the true nature of the town prejudice and lifts the curtain for Charlie to see how many evil secrets are hidden behind the veneer of Coorigan’s well-groomed suburban streets. Our hero, Charlie begins to seek the truth and ultimately acts with honesty, rejecting the hypocritical tendencies of all around him. That Charlie is honest and true and maintains these standards when even his mother is complicit in keeping secrets is a testament to his struggle to expose evil and strive for goodness. Conversely the Shire President’s hidden crime highlights not only his hypocrisy but also his villainy.
SETTING:
Corrigan is a 1960’s regional Australian mining town where the Shire President has been re-elected year after year. The town has a steady routine of football matches, cricket matches, drinks at the pub, or meetings at The Country Women’s Association (the social and charitable group for women who wish to help the community.) Outwardly Corrigan is a charming country town- but it swelters in the Summer heat and Silvey’s description of the oppressive Summer forms a backdrop for the hypocrisy of our villains.
“Our quiet clean streets belies its weight of oppression” pg 104
It seems the older they get the more
Silvey’s novel Jasper Jones explores the theme of social hypocrisy and honesty. A villain traditionally is dishonest and wishes to hide his dishonesty and crimes behind an appealing mask. A hero wishes to expose and challenge the hypocrisy around him/her acting with honesty and integrity. In the novel, the setting of Corrigan, as well as the characters of Shire President and Sergeant, are powerful symbols of the hypocrisy in society. Charlie Butkin- a youthful hero who is seeking moral answers- discovers the true nature of his town’s hypocrisy when Jasper Jones, the town scapegoat, comes to him seeking help after he finds the body of Laura Wishart ( the shire president’s daughter) hanging from a tree. Jasper knows the true nature of the town prejudice and lifts the curtain for Charlie to see how many evil secrets are hidden behind the veneer of Coorigan’s well-groomed suburban streets. Our hero, Charlie begins to seek the truth and ultimately acts with honesty, rejecting the hypocritical tendencies of all around him. That Charlie is honest and true and maintains these standards when even his mother is complicit in keeping secrets is a testament to his struggle to expose evil and strive for goodness. Conversely the Shire President’s hidden crime highlights not only his hypocrisy but also his villainy.
SETTING:
Corrigan is a 1960’s regional Australian mining town where the Shire President has been re-elected year after year. The town has a steady routine of football matches, cricket matches, drinks at the pub, or meetings at The Country Women’s Association (the social and charitable group for women who wish to help the community.) Outwardly Corrigan is a charming country town- but it swelters in the Summer heat and Silvey’s description of the oppressive Summer forms a backdrop for the hypocrisy of our villains.
“Our quiet clean streets belies its weight of oppression” pg 104
It seems the older they get the more