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Plot Structure
The novel Strange Objects by Gary Crew has a very unique, non-linear plot structure. Rather than there being one story being told, there are two that jump back and forth. This is done through the use of multiple narrators and a variety of texts. The main story is that of Steven Messenger who finds a ring, driving him insane. The other story that is told along side Messenger’s is the story of the castaway murderers Wouter Loos and Jan Pelgrom.
The structure of the novel is written in 34 instalments or ‘items,’ written by a number of narrators. Together these instalments tell the stories, as well as linking the two stories together, highlighting the crossovers between them. The ring, cannibal pot, and the journal are all items that appear in both stories, and are then discussed in the extra texts, again bringing both stories together.
As well as several items crossing over, there are several character pairs. These are Wouter Loos and Nigel Kratzman, and Jan Pelgrom and Steven Messenger. These character pairs share both appearances and character traits, once again adding to the ‘parallel story’ plot structure.
The structure of the novel is written in 34 instalments or ‘items,’ written by a number of narrators. Together these instalments tell the stories, as well as linking the two stories together, highlighting the crossovers between them. The ring, cannibal pot, and the journal are all items that appear in both stories, and are then discussed in the extra texts, again bringing both stories together.
As well as several items crossing over, there are several character pairs. These are Wouter Loos and Nigel Kratzman, and Jan Pelgrom and Steven Messenger. These character pairs share both appearances and character traits, once again adding to the ‘parallel story’ plot structure.
resolution
What stands out in the novel’s plot structure is the lack of a resolution. Towards the end of the novel, the one character who can solve the entire mystery, Charlie Sunrise, is killed off, along with the resolution. After reading the book, the reader is left with entire mystery unsolved, leaving the ending up to interpretation.
The reader is left not knowing what happened to Steven Messenger, Jan Pelgrom or Wouter Loos, but instead Gary Crew implies that Messenger was confronted by Pelgrom, before going missing, while Loos is left to live with the Aboriginal People. The reader does however know what happens to Nigel Kratzman who goes to a Tech School.
The reader is left not knowing what happened to Steven Messenger, Jan Pelgrom or Wouter Loos, but instead Gary Crew implies that Messenger was confronted by Pelgrom, before going missing, while Loos is left to live with the Aboriginal People. The reader does however know what happens to Nigel Kratzman who goes to a Tech School.
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