For this response, write about how Applegate’s use of first person narration contributes to the novel’s meaning for you.
Katherine Applegate´s The One and Only Ivan narrates the life of Ivan, a silverback gorilla that stayed captive for over twenty years. Applegate´s work is based on a true story; the narration is written in first person which helps the reader immediately connect to the protagonist of the story. The inspiration to write this book is a gorilla. Silverbacks are known for being strong character animals, nevertheless, a captive animal does not has the possibility to develop all their skills and abilities that wild life offers them. The main reason to write in first person was to give Ivan the possibility to narrate his own experience …show more content…
I felt an instant connection with the protagonist, I was able to see what he described through his eyes and feel what he was feeling (joy, happiness, fear, sadness, loneliness, curiosity, guilt and anger). In a way it was like reading a diary; when we narrate our experiences in a journal, we write in first person and feel free to express all of the emotions that we experience throughout the day in different situations either good or bad. People freely express their thoughts and ideas on a diary and they let go on detailing their feelings since these types of journals are usually private and not intended for public reading. Writing in first person point of view allow us to have a voice and express our most personal thoughts with an open heart and with the opportunity to describe every little detail that might be bothering us or in contrast to honestly express what gives us joy and makes us happy. Applegate certainly gave Ivan an opportunity to narrate his own story. The way Ivan was able to describe his experiences allowed me to understand the reasons behind his actions and experience his own captivity developing feelings of sadness when he would feel lonely, and in the same way I smiled and shared the happiness and joy of Ivan when he reunited with his own race. The first person narrative definitely helped me connect with the protagonist; I believe this type of deep
Katherine Applegate´s The One and Only Ivan narrates the life of Ivan, a silverback gorilla that stayed captive for over twenty years. Applegate´s work is based on a true story; the narration is written in first person which helps the reader immediately connect to the protagonist of the story. The inspiration to write this book is a gorilla. Silverbacks are known for being strong character animals, nevertheless, a captive animal does not has the possibility to develop all their skills and abilities that wild life offers them. The main reason to write in first person was to give Ivan the possibility to narrate his own experience …show more content…
I felt an instant connection with the protagonist, I was able to see what he described through his eyes and feel what he was feeling (joy, happiness, fear, sadness, loneliness, curiosity, guilt and anger). In a way it was like reading a diary; when we narrate our experiences in a journal, we write in first person and feel free to express all of the emotions that we experience throughout the day in different situations either good or bad. People freely express their thoughts and ideas on a diary and they let go on detailing their feelings since these types of journals are usually private and not intended for public reading. Writing in first person point of view allow us to have a voice and express our most personal thoughts with an open heart and with the opportunity to describe every little detail that might be bothering us or in contrast to honestly express what gives us joy and makes us happy. Applegate certainly gave Ivan an opportunity to narrate his own story. The way Ivan was able to describe his experiences allowed me to understand the reasons behind his actions and experience his own captivity developing feelings of sadness when he would feel lonely, and in the same way I smiled and shared the happiness and joy of Ivan when he reunited with his own race. The first person narrative definitely helped me connect with the protagonist; I believe this type of deep