Timing is Everything The element of time in literary works is crucial. There are many ways to use the element of time, including: flashbacks, flash-forwards, foreshadowing, diary entries, etc. In the dystopian novel, Z for Zachariah, Robert C. O’Brien manipulates the element of time to add detail and suspense to his novel. By using “journal entry” writing, the reader is lead to believe that what they’re reading is a girl’s diary; it also progresses the time passed within the book itself. O’Brien shows how crucial timing is by manipulating it in his novel. O’Brien writes his book as if it were a teenage girl’s diary. It starts off in May and stops in August. By using “journal entry” writing, he can manipulate time since past events have not
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By using flash-forwards, the reader is lead to believe that the book is more of a diary rather than a novel. Ann only writes in her diary when she has time or feels that a significant event has occurred. By skipping time, readers can see changes within Ann and her environment without boring the reader. It also adds to the idea that a teenager, who can be moody at times, is writing in her journal and not O’Brien. O’Brien also uses flash-forwards for one more distinct reason: realism. During one specific journal entry in the book, Ann doesn’t “write” for an extended amount of time. Ann is suffering from a gunshot wound. It adds detail and realism because getting shot is detrimental. It’s not an injury that anyone can overcome easily. Ann was more focused on treating her wound rather than writing in her diary. It suspense to the readers especially when they find out who shot Ann and shows the effectiveness of manipulating time. O’Brien has effectively manipulated time in his novel, Z for Zachariah. By using “journal entry” writing, flashbacks, and flash forwards, O’Brien has added suspense and detail to his novel. It gives the reader the illusion that a teenage girl wrote the book. It also adds suspense since anything can happen within a matter of days (in accordance to the book
By using flash-forwards, the reader is lead to believe that the book is more of a diary rather than a novel. Ann only writes in her diary when she has time or feels that a significant event has occurred. By skipping time, readers can see changes within Ann and her environment without boring the reader. It also adds to the idea that a teenager, who can be moody at times, is writing in her journal and not O’Brien. O’Brien also uses flash-forwards for one more distinct reason: realism. During one specific journal entry in the book, Ann doesn’t “write” for an extended amount of time. Ann is suffering from a gunshot wound. It adds detail and realism because getting shot is detrimental. It’s not an injury that anyone can overcome easily. Ann was more focused on treating her wound rather than writing in her diary. It suspense to the readers especially when they find out who shot Ann and shows the effectiveness of manipulating time. O’Brien has effectively manipulated time in his novel, Z for Zachariah. By using “journal entry” writing, flashbacks, and flash forwards, O’Brien has added suspense and detail to his novel. It gives the reader the illusion that a teenage girl wrote the book. It also adds suspense since anything can happen within a matter of days (in accordance to the book