Analytical Essay on “The Familiar”
The Familiar is a fantasy short story written by Andre Norton. It talks about a girl living in a town who owns a toy cat. Later in the story, she realizes that the toy cat is a real cat with magical abilities whose mission is to educate her about the wyse powers that she got. Noran utilizes various techniques to help the reader understand the magic and the cat’s intention about educating Jesca. First person narrator, inner monolog and a strong relationship bond between the two characters are used to explore the development of both the characters. The story starts in in medias res where we as readers get thrown directly into the action, which in this text is kind of confusing. The reason being that we do not know any backstory about the event that is taking place …show more content…
This is because he has been waiting for the right time to show his real identity. By doing this Fossi appears patient as well as devoted to the family. One might also say that Fossi is Jesca’s only friend as it shows in the following quotation: “Once more she addressed me, her voice that of the lonely child she had been when I had first moved myself into her life.") (p.57). The quotation gives the impressions of Jesca being an outsider which struggles to find herself and therefore she seeks advice from Fossi as shown here: “Fossi, Fossi, what can we do?”. Frankly, this shows Fossi is helpful and in particular it gives the impression of Jesca seeking to get help from him. On the other hand, Fossi appears as being bossy. This is shown in the way he gives orders which Jesca cannot resist following. Nevertheless, we know from above that Fossi uses his power to send orders in a good way that benefits Jesca. As mentioned, Fossi can send orders, feeling and pictures to Jesca using his mind. As it appears the communication is only one way so it is only Fossi whom can
The Familiar is a fantasy short story written by Andre Norton. It talks about a girl living in a town who owns a toy cat. Later in the story, she realizes that the toy cat is a real cat with magical abilities whose mission is to educate her about the wyse powers that she got. Noran utilizes various techniques to help the reader understand the magic and the cat’s intention about educating Jesca. First person narrator, inner monolog and a strong relationship bond between the two characters are used to explore the development of both the characters. The story starts in in medias res where we as readers get thrown directly into the action, which in this text is kind of confusing. The reason being that we do not know any backstory about the event that is taking place …show more content…
This is because he has been waiting for the right time to show his real identity. By doing this Fossi appears patient as well as devoted to the family. One might also say that Fossi is Jesca’s only friend as it shows in the following quotation: “Once more she addressed me, her voice that of the lonely child she had been when I had first moved myself into her life.") (p.57). The quotation gives the impressions of Jesca being an outsider which struggles to find herself and therefore she seeks advice from Fossi as shown here: “Fossi, Fossi, what can we do?”. Frankly, this shows Fossi is helpful and in particular it gives the impression of Jesca seeking to get help from him. On the other hand, Fossi appears as being bossy. This is shown in the way he gives orders which Jesca cannot resist following. Nevertheless, we know from above that Fossi uses his power to send orders in a good way that benefits Jesca. As mentioned, Fossi can send orders, feeling and pictures to Jesca using his mind. As it appears the communication is only one way so it is only Fossi whom can