As human beings, each person reaches a point in a lifetime when aspects transform, since evolving is a fragment of each person journey through life. Poppy Shakespeare by Clare Allan is a coming of age story following the journey of the psychiatric patient, N, and the protagonist’s progression towards becoming mentally healthy. N’s development in character and mental health is evident through the descriptions, physical appearance and attitude towards being a psychiatric patient throughout the novel.
N’s progression is evident through the alteration in perception of the protagonist’s situation, starting by using various hyperboles and ending by using blunt descriptions in the diction when describing imagery. In the beginning of N’s journey, …show more content…
N’s initial casual appearance is evident in the apparel and attitude towards image, “Only thing was that as I stood up, the crack in my chair clamped shut on my tracksuit bottoms and it pulled them halfway down my arse before I could yank them out again, and I could have done without it to be honest” (131). N’s original appearance is noticeably lenient perceived through the attire of tracksuit bottoms, which is intended for comfort as the protagonist is not athletic, proving the informal a presentation. N is also considerably carefree concerning physical appearance, not being concerned whether the pants stay on or fall off. The protagonist’s casual style and lack in concern for self-presentation, is a commencing place for N’s coming of age journey to becoming physically attractive. Subsequently, the protagonist is introduced to the idea of being physically appealing as Poppy contemplates N’s potential beauty, “… you’ve got really nice hair … you could try a few highlights … It would look really good” (187). Poppy inserts an idea in N’s unconscious mind that there is potential to be beautiful, in accordance to this initiation, several events unfold to entice N’s interest in looking good. …show more content…
N’s greatest difference is through the approach towards being a psychiatric patient; initially wanting to stay as a mental patient for as long as possible, to accepting a contrasting identity as mentally healthy. In the opening of the novel, Allan is incredibly direct as she introduces the protagonist, “Fact is I been dribbling since before I was born. My mum was a dribbler and her mum as well…” (3) The protagonist is immediately introduced as a “dribbler”, taking pride in the hereditary lineage of mental illness. N takes immense pride in the identity of being mentally ill; serving as a starting point for the protagonist on the journey of transformation. Moreover, N’s takes numerous precautions in order to stay as a psychiatric patient in addition to the pride in being a “dribbler”. N’s desire to stay in the mental institution is displayed through the preparations for the annual
N’s progression is evident through the alteration in perception of the protagonist’s situation, starting by using various hyperboles and ending by using blunt descriptions in the diction when describing imagery. In the beginning of N’s journey, …show more content…
N’s initial casual appearance is evident in the apparel and attitude towards image, “Only thing was that as I stood up, the crack in my chair clamped shut on my tracksuit bottoms and it pulled them halfway down my arse before I could yank them out again, and I could have done without it to be honest” (131). N’s original appearance is noticeably lenient perceived through the attire of tracksuit bottoms, which is intended for comfort as the protagonist is not athletic, proving the informal a presentation. N is also considerably carefree concerning physical appearance, not being concerned whether the pants stay on or fall off. The protagonist’s casual style and lack in concern for self-presentation, is a commencing place for N’s coming of age journey to becoming physically attractive. Subsequently, the protagonist is introduced to the idea of being physically appealing as Poppy contemplates N’s potential beauty, “… you’ve got really nice hair … you could try a few highlights … It would look really good” (187). Poppy inserts an idea in N’s unconscious mind that there is potential to be beautiful, in accordance to this initiation, several events unfold to entice N’s interest in looking good. …show more content…
N’s greatest difference is through the approach towards being a psychiatric patient; initially wanting to stay as a mental patient for as long as possible, to accepting a contrasting identity as mentally healthy. In the opening of the novel, Allan is incredibly direct as she introduces the protagonist, “Fact is I been dribbling since before I was born. My mum was a dribbler and her mum as well…” (3) The protagonist is immediately introduced as a “dribbler”, taking pride in the hereditary lineage of mental illness. N takes immense pride in the identity of being mentally ill; serving as a starting point for the protagonist on the journey of transformation. Moreover, N’s takes numerous precautions in order to stay as a psychiatric patient in addition to the pride in being a “dribbler”. N’s desire to stay in the mental institution is displayed through the preparations for the annual