The books ‘A Little Piece of Ground’ contains many language techniques, and are used well by the author, Elizabeth Laird. These techniques and language help us understand the feelings and notions associated with war. Many of these techniques include short sentences, as shown in “9: Alive...inshallah” the use of a single word sentence ‘Alive.’ emphasizes a snappy and desperate goal, on a list of 10 that Karim is writing. Shot sentences like this are used throughout this book, to show suspense, or to intensify a situation. Another on this list of 10 is, “Not have our house flattened by Israeli Tanks…Not living under occupation…Not dead.” Laird further uses short snappy dot point like sentences to intensify this list, and these goals that seem to be taken granted by people like us. “Israeli troops shelled a refugee Camp… Palestinian gunman opened fire…” These do not contain language techniques, but are essential in understanding the conflict between the Israeli and Palestinians in times of war like this. “Three more eternal Days…the curfew was lifted” this uses exaggerated, metaphoric-like language, in ‘eternal’, to show and help us feel how slow time seemed to have passed for Palestinians under occupation and in Karim’s situation, having being forced indoors by curfews would not have helped this situation. “Karim felt a thump of anger… precious two hours of normal life...no telling when the next time would be.” This imposes onto us the feelings of being ruled by a curfew, as the descriptive language used by laird expresses this in detail. This also shows us how infrequent ‘normal life’ is in Palestine, another thing we take for granted in the developed world. Elizabeth Laird has used immense amounts of language techniques to help us understand the conflicts between the two sides of the Palestine-Israel war.
In Elizabeth Lairds novel “A Little Piece of Ground” many themes are thoroughly explored. One of those main themes is the theme of war. The use of language technique accompanies this theme, and aids us in our understanding of the theme, and how the emotion and feeling of war can be conveyed. The theme war is greatly explored during the first three paragraphs of the book, this can be seen from “He could imagine the great armoured machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people” This quote uses many techniques to convey the sense of war, by using similes to portray the Israeli tanks, as “green scaly monsters” Laird also uses personification to emphasize the feeling of war, “crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill” this creates a mysterious sense of evil. “Out! You’ve got to get out now! He shouted… before the tanks come back!” Laird uses this mans urgent tone to portray the intense feeling if war that surrounds all the Palestinians, constantly, with a strong grip, that won’t halt it’s grip. “Tonight, though, the return of darkness would bring only the soldiers and the tanks” This blunt repetitive sentence, does not have any obvious language techniques, yet the pessimistic tone, shows the dark perspective that Karim has, about his entrapment to his home, as the Israelis enforce a curfew. “Don’t go near the window, don’t let them see you” This quote, delivered by Karim’s mother, has a very stubborn, negative tone, and shows the dark depression that war brings to all Palestinian households. The theme of war in the book “A Little Piece of Ground” is essential in creating a good vs bad theme, and has been aided by a large amount of language techniques. Matt C
Laird has affectively illustrated the theme of war and the serious repercussions that entail as a consequence of hostile between two or more parties. The Israeli and Palestinian conflict has raged since 1947. Laird has shown the grotesque nature of war through her novel a little piece of ground.
Karim a young Palestinian boy is kept under lock and key in his own home by Israeli tanks. In Australia we have the freedom to venture in and out of our homes with a sense of security without a threat looming over our heads. When Karim merely looks out of the window, Jamal tells Karim “don’t look out the window they might take a pot shot”. War has taken its toll to the extent where not only going outside is forbidden but people shake like a leaf at the though of even glimpsing outside. We can observe just how hideous war is and the way Laird has amplified this by allowing us to empathise with Karim as we can go outside whilst he is condemned to stay indoors for days on end.
“After three eternal days passed the curfew was lifted” just emphasises how horrible war is between two nations affecting civilians in the progress. The use of hyperbole once again accentuates just how appalling war is especially to bystanders that are in no way threatening the other side. As we near the end of the chapter people are being ushered back in with the voice on the megaphone “ being outside is forbidden” show the lack of freedom that is a consequence of war between nations and how unfair it is to bring civilians into the crossfire.
“The tanks would only come in the evening, to withdraw at dawn” gives Karim and his family a mass of relief. However, to feel so elated at just being allowed to leave the house yet still under strict supervision illustrates to us the dire state that this war has left them to be in. “Kick, bounce, catch- ball- on- end- of- foot” is the game that Karim is so eager to play. He is so content with just being allowed outside for his special game which shows us a different perspective on life. War has lowered the expectations of life for the victims and Laird has portrayed this through the carefree attitude of Karim.
We can see that war has many horrible consequences that can drive people to the edge of insanity and this concept is viewed to be cruel and immoral.
Laird captures the readers view when she highlights on the theme war in her book A Little Piece Of Ground. She uses language techniques to describe the harsh conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
Karim’s list of the things he didn’t want to be, throws us into the mind of an 11-year-old boy and what it’s like for him and the war. “5. Not shot in the back and stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of my life… Not having our house flattened by Israeli tanks… Not living under occupation… Not being stopped all the time by soldiers… Not being scared… Not being trapped indoors… Not dead” The repetition of the word not accentuates the negative vibe of the war where karim is living and it gives us a sense of how an 11-year-old boy views the war. “Five Palestinians, including children, died during clashes between Israeli soldiers” This quote tells us how extreme the war is and how both sides have an ingrained image of what the other appears to be like, and can't get past this image, even if it might be false. The use of descriptive language in this quote also describes the extreme brutality of the war in Palestine. “They’ll come back any time they like. They’re playing with us. They’re the cats and we’re the mice,” this quote elaborates on the Palestine curfew that is put in place by the Israeli soldiers and how small they are compared to guns and tanks. The metaphor in the quote also stresses on the point on how useless the Palestinians are against the tanks and guns and how pointless the war is.
The main theme war is profound throughout the whole book and Laird’s use of language techniques enhances that theme to captures the reader’s senses. Josh Walker
In the novel “Little Piece of Ground” Laird almost immediately takes note of Karim’s daily life’s challenges and his thought of this useless conflict. Laird cleverly uses similes, metaphors and other literary techniques to link Karim to the theme of war for the audience to understand one person’s personal view of this war. In the opening chapters she clearly highlights war and the effect it has on the people who live in the city of Ramallah. This theme is being described in immense detail in the first three chapters of the book.
Towards the end of chapter one we start to comprehend the true definition of war as Karim starts to open about his opinions and his understandings about the life of being held captive by a group of Israeli’s. “Not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.” Here we see Karim’s urge to be set free, the thought of freedom is distant from his head but he still doesn’t want to give up. The repetition of the word “not being” suggests that Karim is sick of the agonizing daily routine of the curfew being lifted and then few hours later he’s coerced to return back to his home or “being held captive”.
As the book progresses Karim starts to imagine himself as a normal boy, not to be bullied by Israeli soldiers, being able to leave the house whenever he wants or ion his words just do anything he likes. “Karim felt a thump of anger… precious two hours of normal life...no telling when the next time would be.” Here we as the audience start to adjust that Karim’s life is essentially governed by a two hour curfew whenever the soldiers feel like providing the Palestinians with one. Laird has used descriptive and emotive language to describe Karim’s thoughts and feelings. This also teaches us people in developed countries not to take the luxuries we are provided for granted or bad use. “He could imagine the great armoured machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people” Here we see the Laird has used different types of techniques to outline the notion of war. She uses similes to portray the Israeli tanks as “green scaly monsters” as if there like this obstacle they just cannot overcome. She also uses personification which emphasizes the true meaning of war where she says “crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill.”
The novel “Little Piece of Ground” has completely evolved around the theme war. Again I say, Laird has cleverly incorporated many techniques for the reader to adjust to the real feeling of what war is like.
Elizabeth Liard clearly and effectively highlights the theme of war in the first 3 chapters of her novel: “A Little Piece of Ground”. Using the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a stimulus Liard has created a very realistic young character who is not only troubled by the everyday conflicts of normal life, but by the conflict of his country: Palestine and their neighbour as well. His young boyhood is interrupted by curfews, attacks and the problems these bring. A brave resilience shown from him, Hopper, Jamal and others of Ramallah makes this book fun, daring and captivating.
The book begins with two lists written by Karim Aboudi: One of his dreams and goals, and the other a list of things he doesn’t want to do. Liard has captured the essence of a younger 13 year old boy, and the way his mind thinks. Some things immature, but others thought out in impressive detail. I really makes us relate to this familiar character, a reflection of ourselves, only in another time and place, one not as lucky as ours. “Champion footballer of the whole entire world (even I can dream)”…his last bracketed statement reverts us back to the thought that even he, living in a conflict can still dream, and somehow still grow up. It shows how war can affect life, even down to the deepest roots of thought in a young boy’s mind. His brother Jamal even was throwing stones at Israeli tanks, showing how affected the people of Ramallah’s life had become. What everyday boy throws stones at Israeli tanks? What normal person would go up against a tank only armed with stones?
As soon as the second chapter starts, a sudden enthusiasm falls upon the family as it is announced that the curfew would be lifted for two hours. Only being able to go out of their house for two hours was a massive relief to the Aboudi’s. Here, we go whenever we want. The Israeli’s flexing their American powered muscles on the Palestinians through curfews affects Palestinians not just physically (Sireen’s ear infection), but mentally: “Just one more day of imprisonment and there would have been an entire massacre of the Aboudi family.”
The rushed hours of the curfew seemed to go by very fast and soon enough the Aboudi family was back inside, cooped up in their apartment. “They are the cats and were the mice” shows how powerless and defenceless the Palestinians are to tear gas canisters, bombs and guns. Rocks and sticks were the only weapons they had, showing the unfair advantages in war, and through this, Liard also shows the helpless feeling of war, where you can’t do anything.
Through effective imagery, unique contexts and realism, Liard has shown WAR through the first three chapters, and the rest of her book.
Elizabeth Laird’s The Book ‘A little piece of ground’ the theme of war is portrayed. In the opening chapter of the book we are faced with a series of quotes and language techniques that very clearly depict a war torn Palestine. We meet Karim Aboudi who immediately shows us the list of the things that he does and doesn’t want to achieve on this list he has wanting to be “alive” and “not dead”. The use of Juxtaposition between the two opposites in the same sentence creates the chilling thought that you don’t know whether you will live. Karim doesn’t know whether the Israeli tanks will shoot him down. The Palestinians have been issued with a curfew, they can’t even leave their own homes, even the innocent standing in front of your own window they cannot do. “they’ll see you . They might take a pot shot.” When Jamal states this his tone is depicted as just being normal. This displays how war is now a casual thing and is affecting everyone. The Curfew has been lifted and “ Karim felt as if a stone had been pressing down on is head and it had been eased off for a moment, as if he’d been a fly against a glass pain” Laird has cleverly into woven the uses of a simile into the quote by calling Karim a ‘fly on a glass pane. This represents that Karim can see outside he can see freedom he just can’t get out there to grasp a hold of that “fresh air on his face…” because of the war, the Israeli Tanks. Elizabeth Laird has intermingled the theme of War into her book by the use of very shrewdly placed language techniques to allow us to understand the conflict going on in Israel and Palestinian land.
In Elizabeth Laird’s novel “A Little Piece of Ground” many themes are explored to great extent. War is a main feature of this novel, as the book is based around the ongoing Palestinian and Israeli conflict that occurs across the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The use of language techniques accompanies the many themes that are explored, and gives us a thorough knowledge and insight into how the characters of the book really feel.
Throughout the first three chapters of the book, war is really prevelant. The disturbance and reality of the war is displayed when the curfew is coming into place. ‘Mamnou’a al tajwwol’, the loudspeaker blared out. ‘Being outside is forbidden’! This quote shows how the Israelis assert their dominance over the Palestinians. They have created a curfew in which Palestinian residents are only allowed outside throughout a 2 hour window, and this window only occurs roughly once a week. The way the sentence is described to be said gives an eerie and frightening feel. By Laird saying the sentence was blared out, she is describing how it can almost be heard across all of Palestine. Exclamatory language is displayed in this quote, and emphasises the point on how the quote is said.
‘Israeli troops shelled a refugee camp in Gaza this morning, killing nine Palestinians, including a three year old child. Five Israeli woman died and three children were badly injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping street in Jerusalem this morning.’ This quote shows how real the war is to the characters that are displayed throughout the novel, and how real the chance is that they could be caught in the crossfire and killed, and only people who personally knew him would care about his death, and not just the numbers the screen shows. Laird vividly displays the relentlessness and non-caring attitude of the Israelis through this sentence, however, it also shows the fact that neither side wants to lose or be shown as inferior. With this Israelis killing nine people, the Palestinians then killed eight Israelis. This shows the blow for blow wounds each side gives to each-other, and how none of them are willing to show themselves as weak or inferior to the opposition. Descriptive language is prevalent throughout this quote as it describes the reality in which the war is occurring in.
The theme war is the main theme that is showcased throughout the whole novel, and Laird displays it in a way that captures the many language techniques displayed throughout the novel.
In Liard’s novel A LITTLE PIECE OF GROUND the theme of war is fluent throughout. However in this essay I will be focusing on the first three chapters of the novel. It is through many language techniques that Liard has given us an understanding of the everyday life of a child in a war which seems to never ending. At the very start of the novel we are met by the main character of the book Karim, a young Palistinian boy. Where we live freedom is a given, however where Karim lives freedom if as luxury as food to a starving. ‘I’ve got to get out of here before the tanks come’. This quote is said by the opinions on the war he is living in. ‘Not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.’ This gives an insight into what Karim most desires. Freedom! Laird has cleverly repeated the phrase ‘not bieng’ to tell us that Karim has had enough of being held captive by the Israelis and he wants freedom. It is through many language and literary techniques that Laird has portrayed the theme of war to us. caretaker of Karim’s school. This quote demonstrates the fear the Palestinians live in and gives us instant insight into what life is like a warzone. At the end of chapter 1 we see Karim start to open up about express his Tarun
Elizabeth Laird depicts the theme of war in the book A Little Piece of Ground from the very first page and thus immediately grabs our attention. Throughout the book, the theme of war remains as one of the fundamental themes since it is set in Ramallah, Palestine where war between the Israeli and the Palestinians rages while the main character, Karim just wants to live a normal life like other boys. Israeli soldiers swarm the city of Ramallah and curfews are set by the Israeli where the citizens must stay indoors until allowed to go, a cruel rule made by the Israelis for them to display their power. The book begins with Karim trapped in his apartment, making a list of things he wants to do and of things he doesn’t want to do to pass the time. The theme of war is masterfully woven into his list, in “Alive. Plus, if I have to get shot, only in places that heal up. Not in the head or spine, inshallah.” This quote shows that Karim is not sure whether he would even be alive the next day and is not certain he won’t get shot one day. This anxiety shows the dangerous conditions he is living in as there is no guarantee that he won’t get hurt or even killed. Another part of his list that shows the theme war is “Not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.” This quote uses staccato and repetition of the word ‘not’ to illustrate how much Karim wants to be free to do whatever he likes every day, not just for two hours every few days, a freedom that we enjoy and take for granted. The harsh oppression against the Palestinians is again shown in “‘Get away from the window,’ he growled at Karim. ‘They’ll see you. They might take a pot shot.’ ” This quote shows how Karim is endangering his life just by looking out of the window in his bedroom, a natural, innocent action. The injustice of war is depicted in “Karim felt a thump of anger and savagely kicked at the ground. The precious two hours of normal life were over. There was no telling when the next time would be.” Normal life, which we all take for granted, is more precious than gold in Ramallah as there is only two hours of it every week and Karim is bitter and angry due to how unfair the situation is and how hopeless and defenceless he is as the Israeli come back to re-establish the curfew. It is blatantly obvious that war is the cornerstone of this book and how Karim is heavily affected by the Israel versus Palestine war as it harshly takes away his freedom and rights even though he hasn’t contributed to this idiocy at all.
A little piece of ground is a story about a young Palestinian boy who wants the war to be over. He wishes he had the freedom to roam and play with his friends ,though the war has restricted him from doing that. Laird has used language techniques to tell us about the war and the perspective of one of the young stakeholders. “Just one more day of the imprisonment and there would have been a massacre of the entire Aboudi family”, Karim feels as if the desperation and anxiety to go out would lead to the result of his entire family dying. Laira uses exaggeration to emphasise hopelessness and despondency.”He felt like a can of Pepsi that had been shaken up and full of fizz, just bursting to shoot out in a wild, frothing spray”,Karim says this line when he is waiting until 6pm until the curfew is off. The simile assists the reader to understand apprehension that Karim is feeling. “He could imagine the great armoured ,machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched , waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people of Ramallah down in their homes”, descriptive language is used to describe how daunting and sickening the tanks are. Another language technique used in the quote is personification, as Laird writes about the tanks as if it was alive and moving.”The precious two hours of normal life were over”, Karim states this when the curfew was over. Descriptive language used in saying “precious”, helps the reader to understand how much Karim valued that two hours that the curfew was over. As you see from the quotes above, Laird has clearly used a plethora of language techniques to illustrate about the war between Palestine and Israel.
Laird highlights the themes of war very clearly in the first three chapters of the novel Little Piece of Ground. She shows the how stressful it can be living with a war going on outside the doors and how many people cope in these situations. The town of Ramallah, which Laird sets her book in, is a depressing spot and much of the time is hidden by curfews and Israeli soldiers. The first chapter shows the tension which is created throughout the family, such as the quote “What’s all this secrecy about, then?’ he said. “What are you plotting, you little creep?” This line shows the tension between Jamal and Karim as they are forced to live together and see each other most of the days. The atmosphere in general of the place seems depressing and not at all hopeful. This is aided by the technique of descriptive language. The language used in the novel clearly shows how boring a tense it must feel being in the same place for so long and how it compares to our life. Laird really shows how war affects the lives of many in this chapter. The second chapter shows how much they love the outside and how war has affected them. Karim shows this by saying “If they’d kept us penned up in here one more day,’. This quote shows the annoyance and it also shows how Laird has used War to create the base of her story which affects all the characters in the book in some way. Descriptive language is used again in this chapter and shows how much the Palestinians care about their world and breathes more life into the narrative which Laird has created. The third chapter shows Karim meeting his new found friend and playing football with him. This shows how friendly Ramallah is and how people are willing to play with anyone, but the war creates a huge barrier for people to interact. In conclusion, Laird has used several techniques and correctly used the theme of war to aid her story and create a narrative which shows the living of many people and how they live their lives.
In A Little Piece of Ground, Elizabeth has used various quotes and techniques to highlight the important themes which are presented in the book, one of them being ‘War’. War is common in the Palestinian/ Israeli area, as the relationship between the two communities is always more or less aggressive. “Five Palestinians, including two children, died during clashes between Israeli soldiers and stone-throwing youths in the West Bank town of Nablus this morning”. The amount of deaths caused by small-scaled conflicts such as stone-throwing youths against enemy soldiers is extraordinarily high, and re-establishes the theme of war. “Israeli troops shelled a refugee camp in Gaza this morning, killing nine Palestinians, including a three-year-old child. Five Israeli women died and three children were badly injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping street in Jerusalem this morning.” This is a classic example of retaliation and revenge, which are both main factors to the theme of war. The language that Laird had used in this quote is imagery, and helps capture the image of which the author would want a reader to conjure. “He was relieved. There could have been no violent clash down by the tanks today.” The descriptive language conjures up the image of a violent outcome between Karim’s older brother and friends against Israeli soldiers in their tanks. Fortunately, it is said that there have been no violent clashes. But to even think of the possible outcome is unnatural for a boy as young as Karim, and could only have been the outcome of facing the harsh reality of War everyday
In the book, A Little Piece of Ground, Elizabeth Laird highlights the theme of war in the first three chapters using various quotes, and literary techniques. Karim is a young Palestinian boy who wishes for freedom, but is pinned down by the war waging between the Palestinians and the Israelis, only being given two hours of freedom every few days. The Israelis show their power by putting a curfew in place and during this time of lockdown you can’t even look out a window without fear of being shot, “ ‘get away from the window,’ he growled at Karim. ‘They’ll see you. They might take a pot shot.’ “
Karim expresses his thoughts of the war early on in the book, writing down on a list of things he didn’t want to do or be, “not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.” From this we can see what it is like for Karim to be living in a time and place of war, constantly being stopped by Israeli soldiers, being scared all the time and being trapped in his own house. Laird uses repetition of the word ‘not’, to show how badly Karim wants this war to end.
“Israeli troops shelled a refugee camp in Gaza this morning, killing nine Palestinians, including a three-year-old child. Five Israeli woman died and three children were badly injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping street in Jerusalem this morning.” In this quote we can see the dark imagery Laird has used to describe bombings and shootings on the Palestinians and further emphasises the themes of death and war.
A Little Piece of Ground has revolved around the theme of war, incorporating various techniques to make the reader feel as if they were in Karim’s place, pushing through the terrible war.
Laird highlights the theme of war in multiple ways. She uses language techniques to describe the severity of the war.
In the list written by the protagonist, Laird uses short, sharp sentences to convey emotion , 9. "Alive". This quote really hits home with the seriousness of the war. The word "Alive" being used in the list of the first page gives negative connotations to a usually more positive word. "Inventor of an acid formula to dissolve reinforced steel as used in tanks and helicopter gunships (Israeli ones). This quote gives off the first negative connotations and when the previous quote is read, it almost confirms the protagonists fear of war, yet courage to do something to stop it.
Later in in the chapter, the protagonist is becoming claustrophobic towards the curfew. The curfew created by the Israelis shows the severity of the war , civilians being trapped in their own homes in their own country, by the enemy. Eventually the protagonist decides to venture out onto the landing, this action may be quite scary to the protagonist, when this may be a daily thing for you or me. This shows us that life is not 'normal' in Palestine, but a dangerous and risky life instead.
Laird has used many techniques throughout the first three chapters of the book. The theme of war also features heavily in the chapters.
War is a prevalent theme in the first 3 chapters of Elizabeth Laird’s novel ‘A Little Piece of Ground’. In these chapters she introduces the character Karim and his family and their current situation and views on the Palestine-Israeli war. As kids, we all have our dreams and ambitions. ‘Champion footballer of the entire world, Extremely cool, popular and good-looking’ etc. Karim made a list of these but amongst the usual idealistic fantasys, there is one that is there as a result of the war. Karim wants to be the ‘Inventor of an acid formula to dissolve reinforced steel as used in tanks and helicopter gunships (Israeli ones)‘. The use of descriptive language and the strong reinforcing words help underlie the seriousness of the situation. Even a young boy, one who is meant to be learning and living their life, is confined to his house and wanting to destroy the Israelis With the Israelis constant military in the Gaza Strip and the curfew in place Karim and his family were forced to stay home, even though he doesn’t have the best of relations with them. He was ‘Desperate to be alone, to get away from his whole unbearable family, he went to the front door…. Stepped outside and closed it after him.’ The use of hyperbole demonstrate the sad and almost helpless situation he was in. He only just managed to find freedom, by getting closer to danger. Breaks in the curfew were rare and few. At the very end of the time allowed ‘they heard a crackle as the soldiers’ loudspeaker cleared its throat and the awful, frightening rumble as the tanks came nearer and nearer up the hill’. The descriptive language adds a dark sense of fear and uncertainty into the sentence. The use of repetition also heightens the sense of urgency as they need to get back inside quickly. The first 3 chapters of Elizabeth Laird’s novel A Little Piece of Ground gives us a great overview of the situation in Palestine and the ongoing war between them and the Israelites. Through the use of strong descriptive language, repetition and hyperbole we can clearly see that the situation is if anything sad and dire.
Elizabeth Laird’s masterpiece A little piece of ground showcases the themes of War and Violence. The book is set around the life of Karim Aboudi, a Palestinian who resides in Ramallah. His life is very constricted and he does not have much freedom due to the Israeli occupation of the town. Tanks and soldiers enforce curfews upon his life, and suicide bombers and shootings are nothing out of the ordinary and happen on a daily basis. The situation is so bad that Karim’s teacher told him “They (Israelis) can stop you coming to school, but don’t let them stop you learning… Your future is Palestine’s. Your country needs you. Don’t forget.” Laird’s use of Powerful Imagery convey to the reader the necessity of education in order for development in their country. As oppressed as they may be, Karim’s teacher still believes that education is the key to winning this war. In order to enforce curfews, the Israeli troops use tanks, and they are placed around neighbourhoods to govern their rules. Karim describes them as “a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people of Ramallah down”. The use of personification to describe the tanks emphasises the perspective that the Palestinians have of the tanks. While the Israelis see them as a safekeeping method, the Palestinians see them as a show put on by the Israelis to show their military might over them. Freedom is a rare thing in Ramallah due to extensive curfews that last for a whole week. The freedom that Karim feels “The fresh air on his face, the wind in his hair and the wonderful liberty to run and jump intoxicated Karim”. Sensory Imagery is used here to appeal to the reader, and puts us in Karim’s shoes. The liberties and the feeling of being unchained gives Karim such excitement and feeling of renewal. It is evident that the theme of war is recurring, as shown through even the first three chapters. Laird uses the setting of Ramallah, a city caught in the Israeli-Palestine conflict to showcase these themes.
The theme of war, among many other themes, is highlighted in the first few chapters in the book, ‘A Little Piece of Ground’. This is done through the use of many different language techniques that help us to truly understand what war is like for us fortunate people being constantly protected by our army.
In the book, Laird gets straight to the point, shown when Karim lists what he wants to be in the future, and one of the things is just to be alive. Karim also describes the tanks as “He could imagine the great armoured machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people down”. Here, through the use of simile and monster imagery, it is shown that during war, views get changed and made negative.
The theme of war is also highlighted by the deaths that happen. “Five Palestinians, including two children, died during clashes between Israeli soldiers and stone-throwing youths in the West Bank town of Nablus this morning” So many people die, that it is impossible to think about war as a positive thing.
The inequalities of war are also highlighted, especially when the people are finally allowed outside of their houses: “Karim felt a thump of anger… precious two hours of normal life...no telling when the next time would be.” This shows how much Karim hates war, and the unequal things that occur because of it.
As you can see, Elizabeth Laird has successfully highlighted the theme of war, and the inequalities that occur because of it. The different language and visual techniques that have been used help to highlight this theme, and make us feel like we are there in the war, fighting alongside Karim and the other Palestinians.
Throughout the first two chapters of the book, Laird has given us an insight into the theme of war. In this essay I will show how Laird has developed and sustained the theme of war, along with relevant quotes and literary techniques. In this first chapter we meet Karim a 12 year old Palestinian, currently living under a curfew of the powerful and violent Israelis. “The sound of an ambulance siren wailed through the afternoon air.” The use of descriptive language in this quote, informs of the tragedy that goes on in Palestine. The use of sensory imagery makes it easier for us to relate to Karim with the ambulance wailing. “there was no chance, none at all…If they so much as stuck a foot out of their front door – the soldiers would open fire and blow it away. Even standing by the window was dangerous.” The use of a hyphen helps us understand the violence and severity of the situation in Palestine. In the second chapter we hear about the curfew and how it has been lifted, but also how the Palestinians don’t trust the Israelis and are still worried about going outside. “He could imagine the great armoured machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people of Ramallah down in their houses again when the two precious hours of freedom were up.” This line effectively uses a simile to exemplify the hatred and horror for the Israelis and their tanks that they happily use to kill innocent Palestine’s. “Tonight, though, the return of darkness would bring only the soldiers and their tanks, the occasional burst of gunfire and the wail of sirens.” This quote uses descriptive language to contrast the fact that before Israelis had come, Palestine was a peaceful and happy place, but now it was only dark and beared death in its finger tips. For the reasons explored above it is easy to see how Laird has sustained the theme of war throughout the chapters and developed it with great detail.
A war. What is it? Of the ones that are taught in stereotypical history classes, one might come across the Arab Israeli Conflict. With a quick glance it is passed over and something more interesting is sought out such as WW2 or Vietnam. But it is often in the small minorities that intrigue, indecision and the struggle for domination can be found.
Elizabeth Laird’s book A Little Piece of Ground follows 10 year old Karim as he struggles with school, friendships, family and most of all, struggles with the oppression of the Israeli soldiers. One of the most notable features of Laird’s book is her constantly changing perspectives on the Arab Israeli Conflict. She gives these different perspectives through the impact that the war has on each character.
Only 2 pages into the book we experience the theme of war when “In the distance, the sound of an ambulance siren wailed through the afternoon air.” Laird uses personification to highlight the shrieking noise of an ambulance racing to respond to another victim of the terrible war. Having been born into the war, Karim’s lack of reaction to something as the loss of life is demonstrated when “He lifted his head and stared out the window… then started writing again.” Laird has clearly demonstrated here that the effect of war has had such an effect on the people that in some instances they don’t even care anymore. This theme accompanied with short staccato sentences paints a vivid picture of Karim’s world.
A short time later the theme of war rears its head again through the sentence “Get away from the window, he growled at Karim. ‘They’ll see you. They might take a pot shot.” Laird has deliberately used this line to demonstrate that something as simple as standing next to a window could get you killed. The technique of onomatopoeia has been used to also show Jamal’s masked care and compassion for his brother and making sure he is safe.
In conclusion, I believe that Laird has used a wide variety of language techniques to demonstrate the theme of war.
The theme of war is significant in the opening chapters of A Little Piece of Ground, Elizabeth Laird creates an emotional effect on the reader through her use of language techniques. The first chapter begins with the protagonist, Karim writing a list of things he wants to do (or be) in his life. One on the list is “Alive. Plus, if I have to get shot, only in places that heal up...”. This projects the fact that there is a likely chance that he is going to get shot in his own country for being a Palestinian. The war also takes a toll on his learning when “they (Israeli soldiers) can stop you coming to school’, his teacher said”. Everybody has the right to education but a war is preventing that from Karim and many other children like him. Karim also becomes infuriated when he hears that “nine Palestinians, including a three year old child” were killed in an attack. Laird uses contrast in this to compare how life is there and how it is here, she wants you to imagine incidents like this happening here and then relate to how Karim must feel everyday there. He is in fear of his life everyday because innocent civilians are being murdered in cold blood and he could be next. His whole life is confined and it could be related to a prison life as there are curfews in place and Israeli soldiers yell “Being outside is forbidden!”. If anyone was to go out, they would be immediately killed. This is the life of someone in a war zone. “They’re playing with us. They’re the cats and we’re the mice.” This metaphor spoken by Karim’s elder brother Jamal brings out the fact that they are weak and can not fight back and this is just how life is and that they have to deal with this.
In Elizabeth Laird’s novel “A Little Piece of Ground” the theme of war is quite clearly shown within the first three chapters of the novel. This shows the horrific world that the protagonist of the story “Karim Aboudi” and his family and friends have to struggle with every single day.
In the first chapter of the novel we can already see how war abscessed Karim’s life is. He states that one of the things he wants to accomplish in his life is to be “Alive.” Here Laird has used a short sharp sentence, which gives us an insight into how war threatened Karim’s life. This quote also shows us that it’s a battle for him to stay alive in Palestine. This is a very sad thing for an ordinary 13-year-old boy to be feeling. The place where Karim lived “Ramallah, had been trapped indoors for two weeks”. This was because of the Israeli tanks that were sinking a deeper theme of war into the world Karim lives.
The second chapter and third chapters we learn what war has done to Karim’s life. It has trapped him away from the outside world and has hidden him away from his child hood. Even the thought of leaving his house when the Israeli soldiers left was unb3elievable exciting for Karim. “He felt like a can of Pepsi that had been shaken up and was full of fizz, just bursting to shoot out in a wild, frothing spray.” The simile in this quote shows how much Karim cared about leaving his house and experiencing the outer world even if it was only for a few hours.
As you can see the Larid has highlighted the theme of war in the first three chapters of her novel. She has used how many language techniques and clever story structuring to portray this theme in the main character Karim’s life.
Elizabeth Liard has used a multifariousness of techniques to convey to the reads, the theme of war in her book, A Little Piece of Ground. The continuous struggle between the Palestinians and the Israelis’ have affect many millions of people in these two countries. War has plagued these two countries for many decades. Karim is a boy of 12, who lives in Ramallah in Palestine. We are first introduced to him, when he is sitting on his bed contemplating what to wright for his the ten best things I want to do (or be) in my life. Karim then goes on, much faster and quicker, to write the 10 things I don’t want to be (or do) in my life list. In this list of, Liard has cleverly inserted the theme of war. Number 7 shows Karim saying that he doesn’t want to end up as a refugee in some “lousy tent because the Israelis have flattened their house. “Not having our house flattened by Israeli tanks and ending up in some lousy tent.”
Then again, number 9 says “not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.” Karim’s tow has been subject to a curfew put in place by the Israeli soldiers. This makes him feel trapped for these curfews can last days even weeks on end, step an inch outside and the offending body part is no more. The repetition of the word not, shows how scooped up and claustrophobic they are all feeling.
This radio exert shows how hostile the two countries are, and are hell bent on giving revenge for whatever the other does. “Israeli troops shelled a refugee camp in Gaza this morning, killing nine Palestinians, including a three year old child. Five Israeli women died and three children were badly injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping street in Jerusalem this morning” Every time one strikes another the other must retaliate. Liard has woven into this the old saying of “an eye for an eye”
Liard has used a simile to describe the tanks of the Israeli troops. This shows that the tanks and the Israelis are mean and evil. “He could imagine the great armoured machines Lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill” Karim and the other inhabitants of the Ramallah are scared for their lives and it is shown when Karim’s brother Jammal says “They’re playing with us. They’re the cats an we’re the mice” this shows how the residents live in constant fear that the tanks will roll in again at any time without warning and retake the city.
The first three chapters show the effects of war and the abuse of power that can be used during a war. Laird has used many different ways to convey the theme of war
“Three more eternal days passed before the curfew was lifted and then the break was only for two hours.” This quote shows the dislike Karim and his family have for the curfew. The description of the days being ‘eternal’ further shows the length of the days seeming to be ages. The curfew shows the abuse of power that the Israelis have on the town on which they occupy. “Punishing children, let God punish them.” Karim hears his dad mutter these words which show his frustration and anger with the situation. The irony of when he says ‘Let God punish them,’ show his anger even more as does the short sentences. This shows a very common thing in war which is pain and death which the child holds at the time. “The fresh air on his face, the wind in his hair and the wonderful liberty to run and jump intoxicated Karim.” The imagery of Karim in the fresh air gives the picture that Karim is young and athletic. The fact that he runs and jumps shows his happiness to be out of the house. The imagery also allows the reader to use all their senses to relate to the character. This relates to war as it shows the contrast of bullet shells of land mines and how people relate to the contrast. The theme of war is conveyed early in the novel and sets the tone for the rest of it. These three quotes shoe just some of the ways the them is conveyed
The novel a little piece of ground highlights the important theme of war in this terms topic of international perspectives through the author, Elizabeth Laird’s use of simple language techniques throughout. In the first three chapters the notion of war is put out simply and bluntly.
The first example of techniques being used in this way is when Karim is writing his goals that he wants to achieve in his life. “Champion footballer of the entire world” and “The liberator of Palestine and a national hero”. These thoughts of Karim show us his minor naivety of the situation he is in. Coupled with the hope that he has for himself and ultimately Palestine to be liberated. Lairds use of Hyperbole and heroic language immediately show us the situation and gives us the perspective that Karim has on his current life and his strong contrasting intentions. Another example that shows the theme of war is also in the first chapter. “They can stop you coming to school…but don’t let them stop you learning…Your future is Palestine’s. Your country needs you.” This speech is Karim’s teacher speaking to the class before the curfew that the Israelis set in. The desperate tone that the teacher speaks with shows how much he wishes that there would be peace in a place were this has not been possible for years and how strongly he believes that the future generations could save Palestine. Again Laird uses hyperbole, patriotic language and repetition of the word stop to highlight the power that Israel has over Palestine. Later in the first chapter we are yet again reminded of the horrible state that the war is in. “Five Palestinians, including two children died” This quote yet again accentuates the conflict and the point at which this war is. The News report makes it seem like a regular normal occurrence in Palestine. Elizabeth laird’s use of various themes throughout has brought out the strong theme of war in the Gaza strip.
In chapter one, two and three Elizabeth uses real life situations that are happening now in israel and Palestine. Through the eyes of karim, a young Palestinian boy who wants this war to end so that he can live a normal life again. Elizabeth expresses the theme of war through the idea of country occupisation. The part of Palestine that karim lives in is currently ocvupied by israel army. They get two hours of to get out of their houses per day. Karims family does not like the idea of being penned up in their home all day as they have extra family members in the house such as grandparents. Karims family does not get along well and karims younger sibling gets sick. War affecting his family in this way is bad as it could break up their family, leading to much worse problems than an ear ache. “just one more day of imprisonment and there would have been a massacre of the entire aboudi family. He himself would have personally murdered both Farah and Jamal, his parents would have murdered each other, and the whole family would have ganged up to murder him.” Karim uses exaggeration or hyperbole with a joking tone to portray how he will kill his family.
In palestine succes is put on the individual. And the only way to gain success is by working hard. For karim he is expected to get good grades at school so that he may have a good future. However he has not been able to gain access to school because of the occupation. He gets given tonnes of homework to complete while he is at home. Karim does not seem to like school or the work his teacher sets, he also seems to be slightly unmotivated. Therefore the war is endangering the education and future of the younger generation. “you want an education Karim, or do you want to end up like your uncle Bashir?” Karim’s mum uses the literary technique of rhetorical question so that she might get the message through to karim that his future is slipping through his future do to his lack of work ethic and education.
In conclusion war is affecting not only karim but everyone in israel and palestine. It is especially affecting and endangering the younger generations health, education and future.
Hi all How are you living your awesome lives! Just a shout out to all my wad dogs especially my main men Jimmy hughes (nooo pat) and Angus Macca (sexy) . Mr symo's class is silly haha Love Da boys <3 p.s Mac-wood should not win and Jimmy and Angus should get some maccas even though it is not them. p.s.s fish are friends , not food ! - Finding Nemo
The books ‘A Little Piece of Ground’ contains many language techniques, and are used well by the author, Elizabeth Laird. These techniques and language help us understand the feelings and notions associated with war.
ReplyDeleteMany of these techniques include short sentences, as shown in “9: Alive...inshallah” the use of a single word sentence ‘Alive.’ emphasizes a snappy and desperate goal, on a list of 10 that Karim is writing. Shot sentences like this are used throughout this book, to show suspense, or to intensify a situation. Another on this list of 10 is, “Not have our house flattened by Israeli Tanks…Not living under occupation…Not dead.” Laird further uses short snappy dot point like sentences to intensify this list, and these goals that seem to be taken granted by people like us.
“Israeli troops shelled a refugee Camp… Palestinian gunman opened fire…” These do not contain language techniques, but are essential in understanding the conflict between the Israeli and Palestinians in times of war like this. “Three more eternal Days…the curfew was lifted” this uses exaggerated, metaphoric-like language, in ‘eternal’, to show and help us feel how slow time seemed to have passed for Palestinians under occupation and in Karim’s situation, having being forced indoors by curfews would not have helped this situation. “Karim felt a thump of anger… precious two hours of normal life...no telling when the next time would be.” This imposes onto us the feelings of being ruled by a curfew, as the descriptive language used by laird expresses this in detail. This also shows us how infrequent ‘normal life’ is in Palestine, another thing we take for granted in the developed world.
Elizabeth Laird has used immense amounts of language techniques to help us understand the conflicts between the two sides of the Palestine-Israel war.
Hi,
Deleteily
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis Ethan miller, in English 8F,
DeleteWhat do you call a dog with no eyes?
Ethan Miller, A dog
DeleteEthan Miller, on behalf of Dr, Parry (different Dr Parry), We wish to apologies
DeleteRegards,
Sun Darren
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHOWDY DO
DeleteLanguage kid
Deletewith great rizz comes great rizzponsibility
DeleteIn Elizabeth Lairds novel “A Little Piece of Ground” many themes are thoroughly explored. One of those main themes is the theme of war. The use of language technique accompanies this theme, and aids us in our understanding of the theme, and how the emotion and feeling of war can be conveyed.
ReplyDeleteThe theme war is greatly explored during the first three paragraphs of the book, this can be seen from “He could imagine the great armoured machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people” This quote uses many techniques to convey the sense of war, by using similes to portray the Israeli tanks, as “green scaly monsters” Laird also uses personification to emphasize the feeling of war, “crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill” this creates a mysterious sense of evil. “Out! You’ve got to get out now! He shouted… before the tanks come back!” Laird uses this mans urgent tone to portray the intense feeling if war that surrounds all the Palestinians, constantly, with a strong grip, that won’t halt it’s grip.
“Tonight, though, the return of darkness would bring only the soldiers and the tanks” This blunt repetitive sentence, does not have any obvious language techniques, yet the pessimistic tone, shows the dark perspective that Karim has, about his entrapment to his home, as the Israelis enforce a curfew. “Don’t go near the window, don’t let them see you” This quote, delivered by Karim’s mother, has a very stubborn, negative tone, and shows the dark depression that war brings to all Palestinian households.
The theme of war in the book “A Little Piece of Ground” is essential in creating a good vs bad theme, and has been aided by a large amount of language techniques.
Matt C
Laird has affectively illustrated the theme of war and the serious repercussions that entail as a consequence of hostile between two or more parties. The Israeli and Palestinian conflict has raged since 1947. Laird has shown the grotesque nature of war through her novel a little piece of ground.
ReplyDeleteKarim a young Palestinian boy is kept under lock and key in his own home by Israeli tanks. In Australia we have the freedom to venture in and out of our homes with a sense of security without a threat looming over our heads. When Karim merely looks out of the window, Jamal tells Karim “don’t look out the window they might take a pot shot”. War has taken its toll to the extent where not only going outside is forbidden but people shake like a leaf at the though of even glimpsing outside. We can observe just how hideous war is and the way Laird has amplified this by allowing us to empathise with Karim as we can go outside whilst he is condemned to stay indoors for days on end.
“After three eternal days passed the curfew was lifted” just emphasises how horrible war is between two nations affecting civilians in the progress. The use of hyperbole once again accentuates just how appalling war is especially to bystanders that are in no way threatening the other side. As we near the end of the chapter people are being ushered back in with the voice on the megaphone “ being outside is forbidden” show the lack of freedom that is a consequence of war between nations and how unfair it is to bring civilians into the crossfire.
“The tanks would only come in the evening, to withdraw at dawn” gives Karim and his family a mass of relief. However, to feel so elated at just being allowed to leave the house yet still under strict supervision illustrates to us the dire state that this war has left them to be in. “Kick, bounce, catch- ball- on- end- of- foot” is the game that Karim is so eager to play. He is so content with just being allowed outside for his special game which shows us a different perspective on life. War has lowered the expectations of life for the victims and Laird has portrayed this through the carefree attitude of Karim.
We can see that war has many horrible consequences that can drive people to the edge of insanity and this concept is viewed to be cruel and immoral.
Laird captures the readers view when she highlights on the theme war in her book A Little Piece Of Ground. She uses language techniques to describe the harsh conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
ReplyDeleteKarim’s list of the things he didn’t want to be, throws us into the mind of an 11-year-old boy and what it’s like for him and the war. “5. Not shot in the back and stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of my life… Not having our house flattened by Israeli tanks… Not living under occupation… Not being stopped all the time by soldiers… Not being scared… Not being trapped indoors… Not dead” The repetition of the word not accentuates the negative vibe of the war where karim is living and it gives us a sense of how an 11-year-old boy views the war. “Five Palestinians, including children, died during clashes between Israeli soldiers” This quote tells us how extreme the war is and how both sides have an ingrained image of what the other appears to be like, and can't get past this image, even if it might be false. The use of descriptive language in this quote also describes the extreme brutality of the war in Palestine. “They’ll come back any time they like. They’re playing with us. They’re the cats and we’re the mice,” this quote elaborates on the Palestine curfew that is put in place by the Israeli soldiers and how small they are compared to guns and tanks. The metaphor in the quote also stresses on the point on how useless the Palestinians are against the tanks and guns and how pointless the war is.
The main theme war is profound throughout the whole book and Laird’s use of language techniques enhances that theme to captures the reader’s senses.
Josh Walker
In the novel “Little Piece of Ground” Laird almost immediately takes note of Karim’s daily life’s challenges and his thought of this useless conflict. Laird cleverly uses similes, metaphors and other literary techniques to link Karim to the theme of war for the audience to understand one person’s personal view of this war. In the opening chapters she clearly highlights war and the effect it has on the people who live in the city of Ramallah. This theme is being described in immense detail in the first three chapters of the book.
ReplyDeleteTowards the end of chapter one we start to comprehend the true definition of war as Karim starts to open about his opinions and his understandings about the life of being held captive by a group of Israeli’s. “Not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.” Here we see Karim’s urge to be set free, the thought of freedom is distant from his head but he still doesn’t want to give up. The repetition of the word “not being” suggests that Karim is sick of the agonizing daily routine of the curfew being lifted and then few hours later he’s coerced to return back to his home or “being held captive”.
As the book progresses Karim starts to imagine himself as a normal boy, not to be bullied by Israeli soldiers, being able to leave the house whenever he wants or ion his words just do anything he likes. “Karim felt a thump of anger… precious two hours of normal life...no telling when the next time would be.” Here we as the audience start to adjust that Karim’s life is essentially governed by a two hour curfew whenever the soldiers feel like providing the Palestinians with one. Laird has used descriptive and emotive language to describe Karim’s thoughts and feelings. This also teaches us people in developed countries not to take the luxuries we are provided for granted or bad use. “He could imagine the great armoured machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people” Here we see the Laird has used different types of techniques to outline the notion of war. She uses similes to portray the Israeli tanks as “green scaly monsters” as if there like this obstacle they just cannot overcome. She also uses personification which emphasizes the true meaning of war where she says “crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill.”
The novel “Little Piece of Ground” has completely evolved around the theme war. Again I say, Laird has cleverly incorporated many techniques for the reader to adjust to the real feeling of what war is like.
Elizabeth Liard clearly and effectively highlights the theme of war in the first 3 chapters of her novel: “A Little Piece of Ground”. Using the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a stimulus Liard has created a very realistic young character who is not only troubled by the everyday conflicts of normal life, but by the conflict of his country: Palestine and their neighbour as well. His young boyhood is interrupted by curfews, attacks and the problems these bring. A brave resilience shown from him, Hopper, Jamal and others of Ramallah makes this book fun, daring and captivating.
ReplyDeleteThe book begins with two lists written by Karim Aboudi: One of his dreams and goals, and the other a list of things he doesn’t want to do. Liard has captured the essence of a younger 13 year old boy, and the way his mind thinks. Some things immature, but others thought out in impressive detail. I really makes us relate to this familiar character, a reflection of ourselves, only in another time and place, one not as lucky as ours. “Champion footballer of the whole entire world (even I can dream)”…his last bracketed statement reverts us back to the thought that even he, living in a conflict can still dream, and somehow still grow up. It shows how war can affect life, even down to the deepest roots of thought in a young boy’s mind. His brother Jamal even was throwing stones at Israeli tanks, showing how affected the people of Ramallah’s life had become. What everyday boy throws stones at Israeli tanks? What normal person would go up against a tank only armed with stones?
As soon as the second chapter starts, a sudden enthusiasm falls upon the family as it is announced that the curfew would be lifted for two hours. Only being able to go out of their house for two hours was a massive relief to the Aboudi’s. Here, we go whenever we want. The Israeli’s flexing their American powered muscles on the Palestinians through curfews affects Palestinians not just physically (Sireen’s ear infection), but mentally: “Just one more day of imprisonment and there would have been an entire massacre of the Aboudi family.”
The rushed hours of the curfew seemed to go by very fast and soon enough the Aboudi family was back inside, cooped up in their apartment. “They are the cats and were the mice” shows how powerless and defenceless the Palestinians are to tear gas canisters, bombs and guns. Rocks and sticks were the only weapons they had, showing the unfair advantages in war, and through this, Liard also shows the helpless feeling of war, where you can’t do anything.
Through effective imagery, unique contexts and realism, Liard has shown WAR through the first three chapters, and the rest of her book.
Elizabeth Laird’s The Book ‘A little piece of ground’ the theme of war is portrayed. In the opening chapter of the book we are faced with a series of quotes and language techniques that very clearly depict a war torn Palestine. We meet Karim Aboudi who immediately shows us the list of the things that he does and doesn’t want to achieve on this list he has wanting to be “alive” and “not dead”. The use of Juxtaposition between the two opposites in the same sentence creates the chilling thought that you don’t know whether you will live. Karim doesn’t know whether the Israeli tanks will shoot him down. The Palestinians have been issued with a curfew, they can’t even leave their own homes, even the innocent standing in front of your own window they cannot do. “they’ll see you . They might take a pot shot.” When Jamal states this his tone is depicted as just being normal. This displays how war is now a casual thing and is affecting everyone. The Curfew has been lifted and “ Karim felt as if a stone had been pressing down on is head and it had been eased off for a moment, as if he’d been a fly against a glass pain” Laird has cleverly into woven the uses of a simile into the quote by calling Karim a ‘fly on a glass pane. This represents that Karim can see outside he can see freedom he just can’t get out there to grasp a hold of that “fresh air on his face…” because of the war, the Israeli Tanks. Elizabeth Laird has intermingled the theme of War into her book by the use of very shrewdly placed language techniques to allow us to understand the conflict going on in Israel and Palestinian land.
ReplyDeleteIn Elizabeth Laird’s novel “A Little Piece of Ground” many themes are explored to great extent. War is a main feature of this novel, as the book is based around the ongoing Palestinian and Israeli conflict that occurs across the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The use of language techniques accompanies the many themes that are explored, and gives us a thorough knowledge and insight into how the characters of the book really feel.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the first three chapters of the book, war is really prevelant. The disturbance and reality of the war is displayed when the curfew is coming into place. ‘Mamnou’a al tajwwol’, the loudspeaker blared out. ‘Being outside is forbidden’! This quote shows how the Israelis assert their dominance over the Palestinians. They have created a curfew in which Palestinian residents are only allowed outside throughout a 2 hour window, and this window only occurs roughly once a week. The way the sentence is described to be said gives an eerie and frightening feel. By Laird saying the sentence was blared out, she is describing how it can almost be heard across all of Palestine. Exclamatory language is displayed in this quote, and emphasises the point on how the quote is said.
‘Israeli troops shelled a refugee camp in Gaza this morning, killing nine Palestinians, including a three year old child. Five Israeli woman died and three children were badly injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping street in Jerusalem this morning.’ This quote shows how real the war is to the characters that are displayed throughout the novel, and how real the chance is that they could be caught in the crossfire and killed, and only people who personally knew him would care about his death, and not just the numbers the screen shows. Laird vividly displays the relentlessness and non-caring attitude of the Israelis through this sentence, however, it also shows the fact that neither side wants to lose or be shown as inferior. With this Israelis killing nine people, the Palestinians then killed eight Israelis. This shows the blow for blow wounds each side gives to each-other, and how none of them are willing to show themselves as weak or inferior to the opposition. Descriptive language is prevalent throughout this quote as it describes the reality in which the war is occurring in.
The theme war is the main theme that is showcased throughout the whole novel, and Laird displays it in a way that captures the many language techniques displayed throughout the novel.
In Liard’s novel A LITTLE PIECE OF GROUND the theme of war is fluent throughout. However in this essay I will be focusing on the first three chapters of the novel. It is through many language techniques that Liard has given us an understanding of the everyday life of a child in a war which seems to never ending.
ReplyDeleteAt the very start of the novel we are met by the main character of the book Karim, a young Palistinian boy. Where we live freedom is a given, however where Karim lives freedom if as luxury as food to a starving. ‘I’ve got to get out of here before the tanks come’. This quote is said by the opinions on the war he is living in. ‘Not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.’ This gives an insight into what Karim most desires. Freedom! Laird has cleverly repeated the phrase ‘not bieng’ to tell us that Karim has had enough of being held captive by the Israelis and he wants freedom.
It is through many language and literary techniques that Laird has portrayed the theme of war to us.
caretaker of Karim’s school. This quote demonstrates the fear the Palestinians live in and gives us instant insight into what life is like a warzone.
At the end of chapter 1 we see Karim start to open up about express his
Tarun
Elizabeth Laird depicts the theme of war in the book A Little Piece of Ground from the very first page and thus immediately grabs our attention. Throughout the book, the theme of war remains as one of the fundamental themes since it is set in Ramallah, Palestine where war between the Israeli and the Palestinians rages while the main character, Karim just wants to live a normal life like other boys.
ReplyDeleteIsraeli soldiers swarm the city of Ramallah and curfews are set by the Israeli where the citizens must stay indoors until allowed to go, a cruel rule made by the Israelis for them to display their power. The book begins with Karim trapped in his apartment, making a list of things he wants to do and of things he doesn’t want to do to pass the time. The theme of war is masterfully woven into his list, in “Alive. Plus, if I have to get shot, only in places that heal up. Not in the head or spine, inshallah.” This quote shows that Karim is not sure whether he would even be alive the next day and is not certain he won’t get shot one day. This anxiety shows the dangerous conditions he is living in as there is no guarantee that he won’t get hurt or even killed.
Another part of his list that shows the theme war is “Not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.” This quote uses staccato and repetition of the word ‘not’ to illustrate how much Karim wants to be free to do whatever he likes every day, not just for two hours every few days, a freedom that we enjoy and take for granted.
The harsh oppression against the Palestinians is again shown in “‘Get away from the window,’ he growled at Karim. ‘They’ll see you. They might take a pot shot.’ ” This quote shows how Karim is endangering his life just by looking out of the window in his bedroom, a natural, innocent action.
The injustice of war is depicted in “Karim felt a thump of anger and savagely kicked at the ground. The precious two hours of normal life were over. There was no telling when the next time would be.” Normal life, which we all take for granted, is more precious than gold in Ramallah as there is only two hours of it every week and Karim is bitter and angry due to how unfair the situation is and how hopeless and defenceless he is as the Israeli come back to re-establish the curfew.
It is blatantly obvious that war is the cornerstone of this book and how Karim is heavily affected by the Israel versus Palestine war as it harshly takes away his freedom and rights even though he hasn’t contributed to this idiocy at all.
A little piece of ground is a story about a young Palestinian boy who wants the war to be over. He wishes he had the freedom to roam and play with his friends ,though the war has restricted him from doing that. Laird has used language techniques to tell us about the war and the perspective of one of the young stakeholders.
ReplyDelete“Just one more day of the imprisonment and there would have been a massacre of the entire Aboudi family”, Karim feels as if the desperation and anxiety to go out would lead to the result of his entire family dying. Laira uses exaggeration to emphasise hopelessness and despondency.”He felt like a can of Pepsi that had been shaken up and full of fizz, just bursting to shoot out in a wild, frothing spray”,Karim says this line when he is waiting until 6pm until the curfew is off. The simile assists the reader to understand apprehension that Karim is feeling.
“He could imagine the great armoured ,machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched , waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people of Ramallah down in their homes”, descriptive language is used to describe how daunting and sickening the tanks are. Another language technique used in the quote is personification, as Laird writes about the tanks as if it was alive and moving.”The precious two hours of normal life were over”, Karim states this when the curfew was over. Descriptive language used in saying “precious”, helps the reader to understand how much Karim valued that two hours that the curfew was over.
As you see from the quotes above, Laird has clearly used a plethora of language techniques to illustrate about the war between Palestine and Israel.
Laird highlights the themes of war very clearly in the first three chapters of the novel Little Piece of Ground. She shows the how stressful it can be living with a war going on outside the doors and how many people cope in these situations. The town of Ramallah, which Laird sets her book in, is a depressing spot and much of the time is hidden by curfews and Israeli soldiers.
ReplyDeleteThe first chapter shows the tension which is created throughout the family, such as the quote “What’s all this secrecy about, then?’ he said. “What are you plotting, you little creep?” This line shows the tension between Jamal and Karim as they are forced to live together and see each other most of the days. The atmosphere in general of the place seems depressing and not at all hopeful. This is aided by the technique of descriptive language. The language used in the novel clearly shows how boring a tense it must feel being in the same place for so long and how it compares to our life. Laird really shows how war affects the lives of many in this chapter.
The second chapter shows how much they love the outside and how war has affected them. Karim shows this by saying “If they’d kept us penned up in here one more day,’. This quote shows the annoyance and it also shows how Laird has used War to create the base of her story which affects all the characters in the book in some way. Descriptive language is used again in this chapter and shows how much the Palestinians care about their world and breathes more life into the narrative which Laird has created.
The third chapter shows Karim meeting his new found friend and playing football with him. This shows how friendly Ramallah is and how people are willing to play with anyone, but the war creates a huge barrier for people to interact.
In conclusion, Laird has used several techniques and correctly used the theme of war to aid her story and create a narrative which shows the living of many people and how they live their lives.
In A Little Piece of Ground, Elizabeth has used various quotes and techniques to highlight the important themes which are presented in the book, one of them being ‘War’. War is common in the Palestinian/ Israeli area, as the relationship between the two communities is always more or less aggressive.
ReplyDelete“Five Palestinians, including two children, died during clashes between Israeli soldiers and stone-throwing youths in the West Bank town of Nablus this morning”. The amount of deaths caused by small-scaled conflicts such as stone-throwing youths against enemy soldiers is extraordinarily high, and re-establishes the theme of war.
“Israeli troops shelled a refugee camp in Gaza this morning, killing nine Palestinians, including a three-year-old child. Five Israeli women died and three children were badly injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping street in Jerusalem this morning.” This is a classic example of retaliation and revenge, which are both main factors to the theme of war. The language that Laird had used in this quote is imagery, and helps capture the image of which the author would want a reader to conjure.
“He was relieved. There could have been no violent clash down by the tanks today.” The descriptive language conjures up the image of a violent outcome between Karim’s older brother and friends against Israeli soldiers in their tanks. Fortunately, it is said that there have been no violent clashes. But to even think of the possible outcome is unnatural for a boy as young as Karim, and could only have been the outcome of facing the harsh reality of War everyday
In the book, A Little Piece of Ground, Elizabeth Laird highlights the theme of war in the first three chapters using various quotes, and literary techniques.
ReplyDeleteKarim is a young Palestinian boy who wishes for freedom, but is pinned down by the war waging between the Palestinians and the Israelis, only being given two hours of freedom every few days. The Israelis show their power by putting a curfew in place and during this time of lockdown you can’t even look out a window without fear of being shot, “ ‘get away from the window,’ he growled at Karim. ‘They’ll see you. They might take a pot shot.’ “
Karim expresses his thoughts of the war early on in the book, writing down on a list of things he didn’t want to do or be, “not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.” From this we can see what it is like for Karim to be living in a time and place of war, constantly being stopped by Israeli soldiers, being scared all the time and being trapped in his own house. Laird uses repetition of the word ‘not’, to show how badly Karim wants this war to end.
“Israeli troops shelled a refugee camp in Gaza this morning, killing nine Palestinians, including a three-year-old child. Five Israeli woman died and three children were badly injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping street in Jerusalem this morning.” In this quote we can see the dark imagery Laird has used to describe bombings and shootings on the Palestinians and further emphasises the themes of death and war.
A Little Piece of Ground has revolved around the theme of war, incorporating various techniques to make the reader feel as if they were in Karim’s place, pushing through the terrible war.
Laird highlights the theme of war in multiple ways. She uses language techniques to describe the severity of the war.
ReplyDeleteIn the list written by the protagonist, Laird uses short, sharp sentences to convey emotion , 9. "Alive". This quote really hits home with the seriousness of the war. The word "Alive" being used in the list of the first page gives negative connotations to a usually more positive word. "Inventor of an acid formula to dissolve reinforced steel as used in tanks and helicopter gunships (Israeli ones). This quote gives off the first negative connotations and when the previous quote is read, it almost confirms the protagonists fear of war, yet courage to do something to stop it.
Later in in the chapter, the protagonist is becoming claustrophobic towards the curfew. The curfew created by the Israelis shows the severity of the war , civilians being trapped in their own homes in their own country, by the enemy. Eventually the protagonist decides to venture out onto the landing, this action may be quite scary to the protagonist, when this may be a daily thing for you or me. This shows us that life is not 'normal' in Palestine, but a dangerous and risky life instead.
Laird has used many techniques throughout the first three chapters of the book. The theme of war also features heavily in the chapters.
By Jock Bell
War is a prevalent theme in the first 3 chapters of Elizabeth Laird’s novel ‘A Little Piece of Ground’. In these chapters she introduces the character Karim and his family and their current situation and views on the Palestine-Israeli war.
ReplyDeleteAs kids, we all have our dreams and ambitions. ‘Champion footballer of the entire world, Extremely cool, popular and good-looking’ etc. Karim made a list of these but amongst the usual idealistic fantasys, there is one that is there as a result of the war. Karim wants to be the ‘Inventor of an acid formula to dissolve reinforced steel as used in tanks and helicopter gunships (Israeli ones)‘. The use of descriptive language and the strong reinforcing words help underlie the seriousness of the situation. Even a young boy, one who is meant to be learning and living their life, is confined to his house and wanting to destroy the Israelis
With the Israelis constant military in the Gaza Strip and the curfew in place Karim and his family were forced to stay home, even though he doesn’t have the best of relations with them. He was ‘Desperate to be alone, to get away from his whole unbearable family, he went to the front door…. Stepped outside and closed it after him.’ The use of hyperbole demonstrate the sad and almost helpless situation he was in. He only just managed to find freedom, by getting closer to danger.
Breaks in the curfew were rare and few. At the very end of the time allowed ‘they heard a crackle as the soldiers’ loudspeaker cleared its throat and the awful, frightening rumble as the tanks came nearer and nearer up the hill’. The descriptive language adds a dark sense of fear and uncertainty into the sentence. The use of repetition also heightens the sense of urgency as they need to get back inside quickly.
The first 3 chapters of Elizabeth Laird’s novel A Little Piece of Ground gives us a great overview of the situation in Palestine and the ongoing war between them and the Israelites. Through the use of strong descriptive language, repetition and hyperbole we can clearly see that the situation is if anything sad and dire.
Elizabeth Laird’s masterpiece A little piece of ground showcases the themes of War and Violence. The book is set around the life of Karim Aboudi, a Palestinian who resides in Ramallah. His life is very constricted and he does not have much freedom due to the Israeli occupation of the town. Tanks and soldiers enforce curfews upon his life, and suicide bombers and shootings are nothing out of the ordinary and happen on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteThe situation is so bad that Karim’s teacher told him “They (Israelis) can stop you coming to school, but don’t let them stop you learning… Your future is Palestine’s. Your country needs you. Don’t forget.” Laird’s use of Powerful Imagery convey to the reader the necessity of education in order for development in their country. As oppressed as they may be, Karim’s teacher still believes that education is the key to winning this war.
In order to enforce curfews, the Israeli troops use tanks, and they are placed around neighbourhoods to govern their rules. Karim describes them as “a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people of Ramallah down”. The use of personification to describe the tanks emphasises the perspective that the Palestinians have of the tanks. While the Israelis see them as a safekeeping method, the Palestinians see them as a show put on by the Israelis to show their military might over them.
Freedom is a rare thing in Ramallah due to extensive curfews that last for a whole week. The freedom that Karim feels “The fresh air on his face, the wind in his hair and the wonderful liberty to run and jump intoxicated Karim”. Sensory Imagery is used here to appeal to the reader, and puts us in Karim’s shoes. The liberties and the feeling of being unchained gives Karim such excitement and feeling of renewal.
It is evident that the theme of war is recurring, as shown through even the first three chapters. Laird uses the setting of Ramallah, a city caught in the Israeli-Palestine conflict to showcase these themes.
The theme of war, among many other themes, is highlighted in the first few chapters in the book, ‘A Little Piece of Ground’. This is done through the use of many different language techniques that help us to truly understand what war is like for us fortunate people being constantly protected by our army.
ReplyDeleteIn the book, Laird gets straight to the point, shown when Karim lists what he wants to be in the future, and one of the things is just to be alive. Karim also describes the tanks as “He could imagine the great armoured machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people down”. Here, through the use of simile and monster imagery, it is shown that during war, views get changed and made negative.
The theme of war is also highlighted by the deaths that happen. “Five Palestinians, including two children, died during clashes between Israeli soldiers and stone-throwing youths in the West Bank town of Nablus this morning” So many people die, that it is impossible to think about war as a positive thing.
The inequalities of war are also highlighted, especially when the people are finally allowed outside of their houses: “Karim felt a thump of anger… precious two hours of normal life...no telling when the next time would be.” This shows how much Karim hates war, and the unequal things that occur because of it.
As you can see, Elizabeth Laird has successfully highlighted the theme of war, and the inequalities that occur because of it. The different language and visual techniques that have been used help to highlight this theme, and make us feel like we are there in the war, fighting alongside Karim and the other Palestinians.
Throughout the first two chapters of the book, Laird has given us an insight into the theme of war. In this essay I will show how Laird has developed and sustained the theme of war, along with relevant quotes and literary techniques.
ReplyDeleteIn this first chapter we meet Karim a 12 year old Palestinian, currently living under a curfew of the powerful and violent Israelis. “The sound of an ambulance siren wailed through the afternoon air.” The use of descriptive language in this quote, informs of the tragedy that goes on in Palestine. The use of sensory imagery makes it easier for us to relate to Karim with the ambulance wailing.
“there was no chance, none at all…If they so much as stuck a foot out of their front door – the soldiers would open fire and blow it away. Even standing by the window was dangerous.” The use of a hyphen helps us understand the violence and severity of the situation in Palestine.
In the second chapter we hear about the curfew and how it has been lifted, but also how the Palestinians don’t trust the Israelis and are still worried about going outside. “He could imagine the great armoured machines lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill and pin the people of Ramallah down in their houses again when the two precious hours of freedom were up.” This line effectively uses a simile to exemplify the hatred and horror for the Israelis and their tanks that they happily use to kill innocent Palestine’s. “Tonight, though, the return of darkness would bring only the soldiers and their tanks, the occasional burst of gunfire and the wail of sirens.” This quote uses descriptive language to contrast the fact that before Israelis had come, Palestine was a peaceful and happy place, but now it was only dark and beared death in its finger tips.
For the reasons explored above it is easy to see how Laird has sustained the theme of war throughout the chapters and developed it with great detail.
A war. What is it? Of the ones that are taught in stereotypical history classes, one might come across the Arab Israeli Conflict. With a quick glance it is passed over and something more interesting is sought out such as WW2 or Vietnam. But it is often in the small minorities that intrigue, indecision and the struggle for domination can be found.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Laird’s book A Little Piece of Ground follows 10 year old Karim as he struggles with school, friendships, family and most of all, struggles with the oppression of the Israeli soldiers. One of the most notable features of Laird’s book is her constantly changing perspectives on the Arab Israeli Conflict. She gives these different perspectives through the impact that the war has on each character.
Only 2 pages into the book we experience the theme of war when “In the distance, the sound of an ambulance siren wailed through the afternoon air.” Laird uses personification to highlight the shrieking noise of an ambulance racing to respond to another victim of the terrible war. Having been born into the war, Karim’s lack of reaction to something as the loss of life is demonstrated when “He lifted his head and stared out the window… then started writing again.” Laird has clearly demonstrated here that the effect of war has had such an effect on the people that in some instances they don’t even care anymore. This theme accompanied with short staccato sentences paints a vivid picture of Karim’s world.
A short time later the theme of war rears its head again through the sentence “Get away from the window, he growled at Karim. ‘They’ll see you. They might take a pot shot.” Laird has deliberately used this line to demonstrate that something as simple as standing next to a window could get you killed. The technique of onomatopoeia has been used to also show Jamal’s masked care and compassion for his brother and making sure he is safe.
In conclusion, I believe that Laird has used a wide variety of language techniques to demonstrate the theme of war.
Vote.
Delete
ReplyDeleteThe theme of war is significant in the opening chapters of A Little Piece of Ground, Elizabeth Laird creates an emotional effect on the reader through her use of language techniques. The first chapter begins with the protagonist, Karim writing a list of things he wants to do (or be) in his life. One on the list is “Alive. Plus, if I have to get shot, only in places that heal up...”. This projects the fact that there is a likely chance that he is going to get shot in his own country for being a Palestinian. The war also takes a toll on his learning when “they (Israeli soldiers) can stop you coming to school’, his teacher said”. Everybody has the right to education but a war is preventing that from Karim and many other children like him. Karim also becomes infuriated when he hears that “nine Palestinians, including a three year old child” were killed in an attack. Laird uses contrast in this to compare how life is there and how it is here, she wants you to imagine incidents like this happening here and then relate to how Karim must feel everyday there. He is in fear of his life everyday because innocent civilians are being murdered in cold blood and he could be next. His whole life is confined and it could be related to a prison life as there are curfews in place and Israeli soldiers yell “Being outside is forbidden!”. If anyone was to go out, they would be immediately killed. This is the life of someone in a war zone. “They’re playing with us. They’re the cats and we’re the mice.” This metaphor spoken by Karim’s elder brother Jamal brings out the fact that they are weak and can not fight back and this is just how life is and that they have to deal with this.
In Elizabeth Laird’s novel “A Little Piece of Ground” the theme of war is quite clearly shown within the first three chapters of the novel. This shows the horrific world that the protagonist of the story “Karim Aboudi” and his family and friends have to struggle with every single day.
ReplyDeleteIn the first chapter of the novel we can already see how war abscessed Karim’s life is. He states that one of the things he wants to accomplish in his life is to be “Alive.” Here Laird has used a short sharp sentence, which gives us an insight into how war threatened Karim’s life. This quote also shows us that it’s a battle for him to stay alive in Palestine. This is a very sad thing for an ordinary 13-year-old boy to be feeling. The place where Karim lived “Ramallah, had been trapped indoors for two weeks”. This was because of the Israeli tanks that were sinking a deeper theme of war into the world Karim lives.
The second chapter and third chapters we learn what war has done to Karim’s life. It has trapped him away from the outside world and has hidden him away from his child hood. Even the thought of leaving his house when the Israeli soldiers left was unb3elievable exciting for Karim. “He felt like a can of Pepsi that had been shaken up and was full of fizz, just bursting to shoot out in a wild, frothing spray.” The simile in this quote shows how much Karim cared about leaving his house and experiencing the outer world even if it was only for a few hours.
As you can see the Larid has highlighted the theme of war in the first three chapters of her novel. She has used how many language techniques and clever story structuring to portray this theme in the main character Karim’s life.
Elizabeth Liard has used a multifariousness of techniques to convey to the reads, the theme of war in her book, A Little Piece of Ground.
ReplyDeleteThe continuous struggle between the Palestinians and the Israelis’ have affect many millions of people in these two countries. War has plagued these two countries for many decades. Karim is a boy of 12, who lives in Ramallah in Palestine. We are first introduced to him, when he is sitting on his bed contemplating what to wright for his the ten best things I want to do (or be) in my life. Karim then goes on, much faster and quicker, to write the 10 things I don’t want to be (or do) in my life list. In this list of, Liard has cleverly inserted the theme of war. Number 7 shows Karim saying that he doesn’t want to end up as a refugee in some “lousy tent because the Israelis have flattened their house. “Not having our house flattened by Israeli tanks and ending up in some lousy tent.”
Then again, number 9 says “not living under occupation. Not being stopped all the time by Israeli soldiers. Not being scared. Not being trapped indoors.” Karim’s tow has been subject to a curfew put in place by the Israeli soldiers. This makes him feel trapped for these curfews can last days even weeks on end, step an inch outside and the offending body part is no more. The repetition of the word not, shows how scooped up and claustrophobic they are all feeling.
This radio exert shows how hostile the two countries are, and are hell bent on giving revenge for whatever the other does. “Israeli troops shelled a refugee camp in Gaza this morning, killing nine Palestinians, including a three year old child. Five Israeli women died and three children were badly injured when a Palestinian gunman opened fire in a crowded shopping street in Jerusalem this morning” Every time one strikes another the other must retaliate. Liard has woven into this the old saying of “an eye for an eye”
Liard has used a simile to describe the tanks of the Israeli troops. This shows that the tanks and the Israelis are mean and evil. “He could imagine the great armoured machines Lying down there, like a row of green scaly monsters, crouched, waiting to crawl back up the hill” Karim and the other inhabitants of the Ramallah are scared for their lives and it is shown when Karim’s brother Jammal says “They’re playing with us. They’re the cats an we’re the mice” this shows how the residents live in constant fear that the tanks will roll in again at any time without warning and retake the city.
The first three chapters show the effects of war and the abuse of power that can be used during a war. Laird has used many different ways to convey the theme of war
ReplyDelete“Three more eternal days passed before the curfew was lifted and then the break was only for two hours.” This quote shows the dislike Karim and his family have for the curfew. The description of the days being ‘eternal’ further shows the length of the days seeming to be ages. The curfew shows the abuse of power that the Israelis have on the town on which they occupy.
“Punishing children, let God punish them.” Karim hears his dad mutter these words which show his frustration and anger with the situation. The irony of when he says ‘Let God punish them,’ show his anger even more as does the short sentences. This shows a very common thing in war which is pain and death which the child holds at the time.
“The fresh air on his face, the wind in his hair and the wonderful liberty to run and jump intoxicated Karim.” The imagery of Karim in the fresh air gives the picture that Karim is young and athletic. The fact that he runs and jumps shows his happiness to be out of the house. The imagery also allows the reader to use all their senses to relate to the character. This relates to war as it shows the contrast of bullet shells of land mines and how people relate to the contrast.
The theme of war is conveyed early in the novel and sets the tone for the rest of it. These three quotes shoe just some of the ways the them is conveyed
The novel a little piece of ground highlights the important theme of war in this terms topic of international perspectives through the author, Elizabeth Laird’s use of simple language techniques throughout. In the first three chapters the notion of war is put out simply and bluntly.
ReplyDeleteThe first example of techniques being used in this way is when Karim is writing his goals that he wants to achieve in his life. “Champion footballer of the entire world” and “The liberator of Palestine and a national hero”. These thoughts of Karim show us his minor naivety of the situation he is in. Coupled with the hope that he has for himself and ultimately Palestine to be liberated. Lairds use of Hyperbole and heroic language immediately show us the situation and gives us the perspective that Karim has on his current life and his strong contrasting intentions.
Another example that shows the theme of war is also in the first chapter. “They can stop you coming to school…but don’t let them stop you learning…Your future is Palestine’s. Your country needs you.” This speech is Karim’s teacher speaking to the class before the curfew that the Israelis set in. The desperate tone that the teacher speaks with shows how much he wishes that there would be peace in a place were this has not been possible for years and how strongly he believes that the future generations could save Palestine. Again Laird uses hyperbole, patriotic language and repetition of the word stop to highlight the power that Israel has over Palestine.
Later in the first chapter we are yet again reminded of the horrible state that the war is in. “Five Palestinians, including two children died” This quote yet again accentuates the conflict and the point at which this war is. The News report makes it seem like a regular normal occurrence in Palestine.
Elizabeth laird’s use of various themes throughout has brought out the strong theme of war in the Gaza strip.
In chapter one, two and three Elizabeth uses real life situations that are happening now in israel and Palestine. Through the eyes of karim, a young Palestinian boy who wants this war to end so that he can live a normal life again. Elizabeth expresses the theme of war through the idea of country occupisation. The part of Palestine that karim lives in is currently ocvupied by israel army. They get two hours of to get out of their houses per day. Karims family does not like the idea of being penned up in their home all day as they have extra family members in the house such as grandparents. Karims family does not get along well and karims younger sibling gets sick. War affecting his family in this way is bad as it could break up their family, leading to much worse problems than an ear ache. “just one more day of imprisonment and there would have been a massacre of the entire aboudi family. He himself would have personally murdered both Farah and Jamal, his parents would have murdered each other, and the whole family would have ganged up to murder him.” Karim uses exaggeration or hyperbole with a joking tone to portray how he will kill his family.
ReplyDeleteIn palestine succes is put on the individual. And the only way to gain success is by working hard. For karim he is expected to get good grades at school so that he may have a good future. However he has not been able to gain access to school because of the occupation. He gets given tonnes of homework to complete while he is at home. Karim does not seem to like school or the work his teacher sets, he also seems to be slightly unmotivated. Therefore the war is endangering the education and future of the younger generation. “you want an education Karim, or do you want to end up like your uncle Bashir?” Karim’s mum uses the literary technique of rhetorical question so that she might get the message through to karim that his future is slipping through his future do to his lack of work ethic and education.
In conclusion war is affecting not only karim but everyone in israel and palestine. It is especially affecting and endangering the younger generations health, education and future.
Allen Guo
ReplyDeleteTim Sampson,
ReplyDeleteBecause he has got great quotes and a twice as good Analysis.
Butterfield
ReplyDeleteJackson Higgins, as it was the only one I could read more than 2 lines of (including my own)
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could work on your attention span...?
DeleteEric Xu
ReplyDeleteCharlie Pittman for brillant quotes well done charlie, truly inspiring work.
ReplyDeleteJackson Higgins
ReplyDeleteMatt Carpenter
ReplyDeleteHugo macwood
ReplyDeleteThe hugstar
ReplyDeletethat legend hugo
ReplyDeletei honestly think macwoods was great
ReplyDeletei totally agree other anonymous people. Hugo's work was excellent
ReplyDeleteYeah me too guys his work completely change my life forever
ReplyDeletehugo macwoods was great should defs win
ReplyDeletewow i cant believe another person agrees with us!!
ReplyDeleteMr symons would be stupid not to give maccas to hugo for this effort
ReplyDeletetotally agree
ReplyDeletehugo macwood should win
ReplyDeletei seriously hope hugos hungry because a lot of maccas will be coming his way
ReplyDeletehugo macwood
ReplyDeleteeveryone think hugo should win
ReplyDeletewow this is getting kinda creepy now haha
ReplyDeleteHugo should win his was great
ReplyDeleteAGAIN!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the support guys
ReplyDeleteHi all
ReplyDeleteHow are you living your awesome lives!
Just a shout out to all my wad dogs especially my main men Jimmy hughes (nooo pat) and Angus Macca (sexy) .
Mr symo's class is silly haha
Love Da boys <3
p.s Mac-wood should not win and Jimmy and Angus should get some maccas even though it is not them.
p.s.s fish are friends , not food ! - Finding Nemo
Hi
ReplyDeleteDid Hugo win?
ReplyDeleteشركة تعقيم في الفجيرة
ReplyDeleteشركات تعقيم المنازل في الفجيرة