The book If I Stay, written by Gayle Forman, is about a girl named Mia who is involved in a car crash. The fictional novel follows seventeen year-old Mia who goes through a deep reflection of her life while she is in a coma due to a car accident. She ultimately has to decide whether she should stay and carry the burden of losing her family with her forever or go and be peaceful. The three topics addressed in the captivating novel are foreshadowing, symbolism, and imagery.
First, Forman uses foreshadowing make the reader anticipate future events in the story. Starting from the first line of the book, Forman incorporates foreshadowing, “Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I suppose that’s true” (1). By subtly including this line, the reader is already informed that something has happened in the story as a result of the snow. This adds to the story because it leads the reader to ponder what is to come, making the story more interesting. Another example of foreshadowing used in If …show more content…
In the beginning of the book, Forman uses descriptive words to tell about the car crash; “The car is eviscerated” (15). The tone of this is very serious. Forman’s blunt, straight-to-the-point sentences help the reader realize how tragic the car crash truly is. After explaining the car crash, Forman goes on to describe what is going through Mia’s head. “I played my first recital when I was ten. I’d been playing cello for two years at that point. At first, just at school, as part of the music program” (13). The tone of this portion of the book is more neutral and innocent. This is crucial to the story because it shows that even though Mia is being faced with such a traumatizing experience, she is staying positive and thinking everyday thoughts which you would not hear from a girl who is at risk of dying. Thus, Gayle Forman uses tone to help the reader understand Mia’s emotions throughout her time at the
First, Forman uses foreshadowing make the reader anticipate future events in the story. Starting from the first line of the book, Forman incorporates foreshadowing, “Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I suppose that’s true” (1). By subtly including this line, the reader is already informed that something has happened in the story as a result of the snow. This adds to the story because it leads the reader to ponder what is to come, making the story more interesting. Another example of foreshadowing used in If …show more content…
In the beginning of the book, Forman uses descriptive words to tell about the car crash; “The car is eviscerated” (15). The tone of this is very serious. Forman’s blunt, straight-to-the-point sentences help the reader realize how tragic the car crash truly is. After explaining the car crash, Forman goes on to describe what is going through Mia’s head. “I played my first recital when I was ten. I’d been playing cello for two years at that point. At first, just at school, as part of the music program” (13). The tone of this portion of the book is more neutral and innocent. This is crucial to the story because it shows that even though Mia is being faced with such a traumatizing experience, she is staying positive and thinking everyday thoughts which you would not hear from a girl who is at risk of dying. Thus, Gayle Forman uses tone to help the reader understand Mia’s emotions throughout her time at the