SALT by Maurice Gee is a very unique and aberrant novel, as it is set in the future where the dictatorship, called ‘Company’, rules the land leaving most of the population to live in poverty. While the poor have nothing, the rich, white ruling families of the Company live in a gated community with maids and nannies and lavish lifestyles. SALT follows the two completely opposite characters, Pearl and Hari. Pearl is the beautiful daughter of Bowles, a ruling family. Whereas Hari is a dark skinned scavenger from the Company conquered Blood Borrows city. One element from the book I thought was interesting was that it was as if they had gone back in time, to the days when fathers decided when and who their daughters married, and females were not
…show more content…
Especially through the character Pearl who has grown up in an affluent family where food is abundant and she has never lifted a finger to achieve such wealth. Nor does she have to cook, clean or even bath herself as her servant (Tealeaf) does this all for her. Pearl is spoilt, she lives a privileged life and as a result she is vain, and acts like a princess. In comparison, Hari who is Borrows man, has to scavenge and fight in order to survive in the ruins of a city that the Company has destroyed. Subsequently, with the influence of his father Tarl, it has turned him into a bitter and dangerous person who will not hesitate to kill Company men. I liked how the author chose two characters from juxtaposing upbringings to highlight the theme that people are the by-product of their childhood. For example “What are those?’ Pearl cried. ‘Muggy grubs… We’re lucky it’s the season for them’ explained Hari. ‘I’m not eating grubs’ ‘Then you’ll go hungry” in comparison Hari is much less picky than Pearl in the quote that follows, “The knife and dog were all he would need. And if he found no animals, the dog would serve as food.” These words show how the author uses contrasting dialogue to demonstrate the different personalities of Pearl and Hari. Pearl’s response to Hari eating grubs is very shocked and repulsed, whereas for matter of fact Hari these grubs are the difference between life and death. …show more content…
Even though the two have completely different lifestyles and upbringings, they find each other by conincience. When their paths accidently cross in the forrest they find that the only way they can get out alive is to work together. However one criticism I have of the authors writing style was the ‘happily-ever-after’ cliché ending. Where Hari and Pearl fall in love and have children in there home. This was disappointing and surprising given the authors consistent page turning style throughout the book. Some themes I recognised in SALT were feminism and people being a product of their upbringing. Overall I really enjoyed the novel SALT by Maurice Gee as I was engrossed in the story line and style of Gee’s writing. I often could not put it down and it left me wondering about it after I had finished reading. Therefore I would undoubtedly recommend this book to other year 12
Especially through the character Pearl who has grown up in an affluent family where food is abundant and she has never lifted a finger to achieve such wealth. Nor does she have to cook, clean or even bath herself as her servant (Tealeaf) does this all for her. Pearl is spoilt, she lives a privileged life and as a result she is vain, and acts like a princess. In comparison, Hari who is Borrows man, has to scavenge and fight in order to survive in the ruins of a city that the Company has destroyed. Subsequently, with the influence of his father Tarl, it has turned him into a bitter and dangerous person who will not hesitate to kill Company men. I liked how the author chose two characters from juxtaposing upbringings to highlight the theme that people are the by-product of their childhood. For example “What are those?’ Pearl cried. ‘Muggy grubs… We’re lucky it’s the season for them’ explained Hari. ‘I’m not eating grubs’ ‘Then you’ll go hungry” in comparison Hari is much less picky than Pearl in the quote that follows, “The knife and dog were all he would need. And if he found no animals, the dog would serve as food.” These words show how the author uses contrasting dialogue to demonstrate the different personalities of Pearl and Hari. Pearl’s response to Hari eating grubs is very shocked and repulsed, whereas for matter of fact Hari these grubs are the difference between life and death. …show more content…
Even though the two have completely different lifestyles and upbringings, they find each other by conincience. When their paths accidently cross in the forrest they find that the only way they can get out alive is to work together. However one criticism I have of the authors writing style was the ‘happily-ever-after’ cliché ending. Where Hari and Pearl fall in love and have children in there home. This was disappointing and surprising given the authors consistent page turning style throughout the book. Some themes I recognised in SALT were feminism and people being a product of their upbringing. Overall I really enjoyed the novel SALT by Maurice Gee as I was engrossed in the story line and style of Gee’s writing. I often could not put it down and it left me wondering about it after I had finished reading. Therefore I would undoubtedly recommend this book to other year 12