“Anthony Eaton portrays the issues of the abuse of authority and power through chracterisation”. Discuss this statement providing close references to the novel. Characterisation is a vivid description of a person’s appearance and character. This is presented through their actions, speech or thought. The novel ‘A New Kind of Dreaming’ by Anthony Eaton uses characterisation to portray the issue of abuse of authority and power through the antagonist Sergeant Butcher. Sergeant Butcher is a powerful high ranked policeman in the isolated town Port Barren.
The author urges us to question whether we would report the crimes with the repercussions that would follow, or to keep quiet. Elliot Butcher is the small town, Port Barren’s Sergeant in the novel ‘A New Kind of Dreaming’. His characterisation perceives him as the antagonist. Throughout the story he abuses the power of authority he has over the town to smoothly cover up his own crimes. Knowing he is a respected high ranked policeman he uses kids with a troubled past to blame, knowing the people of Port Barren would take his word over the kids due to his position.
Sergeant Butcher’s abuse of power gradually increased as the story progresses. From threatening people to vandalising and arson to torturing and murder. On page 157 the quote “That’ll do you alot of good in court. Your word against mine. You really think a judge is gonna believe a teenage piece of dirt like you over a sergeant in the police force? ” reinforces his belief that he can do what ever he wants and can get away with it. The fact that he is a police officer makes his crimes even worse. Lorraine is the central character Jamie Riley’s social worker.
The Research paper on Crime Diversion Programs and Prevention of Juvenile Crime
We may think that all convicted individuals should spend some time, or in some cases, a substantial amount of time behind bars for the crimes that they have committed. It is true that under the current scheme of the law, people who have transgressed against the statutes that the society has set must stand before the judgment of the bar of law and if found guilty, pay restitution for their acts. ...
She is seen as a stereotypical ‘spot the social worker’. In the story, Lorraine previously had a forbidden relationship with one of her clients. The client who was under age and had a troubled past similar to Jamie. This was illegal and therefore jeopardized her career and risked her being put in prison. The only person who knew of this relationship was Sergeant Butcher. When Jamie is suspected of vandalising windows Lorraine just warns him, on page 52 she says “Jamie, Port Barren is a small place. Someone new arrives in town nd suddenly there’s an outbreak of vandalism, well, people notice. And talk. That’s all I’m saying. ” When Jamie is seriously threatened by Sergeant Butcher, Lorraine doesn’t do anything. The reason why Lorraine doesn’t report Butcher is because he knows about her relationship and as he has a more powerful authority he can ruin her career and put in prison. As readers we are positioned to feel sorry for Lorraine in the end because she made a mistake (having a relationship with a client) and it was always coming back to haunt her.
Eventually she tried to flee but died while doing so. Constable Mike McPherson was a colleague of Sergeant Butcher and was seen as a drunk. Throughout the novel he is constantly drinking alcohol and receives no respect from the community. However Butcher allowed McPherson to keep his job, although he was an alcoholic, this was so Butcher could protect himself. If McPherson was let go he could overcome his alcoholism and report Butcher’s crimes. The reason behind his heavy drinking was to forget what happened while he was on the boat with Sergeant Butcher.
The situation was he and Butcher saw a load of dead refugees and he witnessed Butcher killing an old man and a young girl. Because Butcher knows what he did will affect his job and put him in prison, he blackmailed McPherson into secrecy and forbid him to leave. On page 123 when Jamie questioned McPherson about Butcher and the girl he said “Listen to me carefully, kid. That girl wasn’t the first person Butcher killed that day, and if you keep asking questions there’ll be another body somewhere out in the desert for us to look out for.
The Essay on The Relationships of Duddy Kravitz
Relationships are an emotional connection between two people. In the novel The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler Duddy has many relationships, which change the way he acts, thinks and ultimately changes the plot dramatically. The life of Duddy changes throughout the novel from the relationships he has with his friends, family, and enemies. Duddys relationships with his friends ...
Now do us all a favour, piss off and mind your own business, okay? ” he revealed too much. Butcher was then informed about this conversation by the barman of the pub where McPherson and Jamie spoke. Later McPherson is found dead. McPherson behaved cowardly as he abused his power and authority as a policeman, by not fully doing his job and failing to bring criminals like Butcher to justice. Jamie Riley is the central character in this novel. Jamie was first seen as a victim because he was blamed for things he didn’t do.
He was then seen as a protagonist because he didn’t let Butcher intimidate him and was proactive in trying to expose Butcher in what he had done. When Jamie doesn’t back down, Butcher was concerned that Jamie would uncover the truth and expose him. Butcher accused Jamie of vandalism and when Jamie denied this he was put in the back of Butchers truck for a long time without water. When he woke up he was in hospital, speaking to Lorraine he thought he could do something about Butcher. On page 73 he said “I could do him for that. ” “What do you mean? “You know report him. Officially. ” “You could try. ‘ There was skepticism in her voice. “You don’t reckon I’d get him? ” these quotes are examples of the start of Jamie’s quest for justice. This eventually leads to him finding the boat and pieces of evidence that finally exposes Butcher and serves the young girl justice. Constable Robb was brought in to Port Barren to replace Constable McPherson. He is seen as a quiet person who keeps to himself. Previously Robb heard many stories of Butcher and was suspicious of him when moving to Port Barren.
The relationship between Robb and Butcher was domineering in the sense that Butcher ordered Robb to help him blame Jamie. Throughout this scene Robb doesn’t know what he is looking for and thinks because it isn’t his shift, it is unnecessary. Upon finding Jamie and Cameron hidden beneath the boat he tells Butcher “There’s nothing in here except dust. Can I come out now? ” bluntly lying about seeing the boys because he knows what Butcher would do otherwise. This links to when Jamie has gone missing and Robb being the person who tells Cameron where he is.
The Essay on Impact Of Child Abuse
The impact of abuse reaches all levels of a childs emotions. The two most common emotions are confusion and guilt. Confusion is usually the initial reaction of the child. They will usually wonder what is going on or if this is right or wrong. For a young child these types of questions can be a huge burden on their physcological development. Once the abuse begins the victim experience a tremnedous ...
In the scene where Butcher is about to shoot Jamie, Robb comes to his aid and wounds Butcher after shooting him in the shoulder. Robb’s reaction after he shot Butcher was less than concerned about Butcher’s well being. Robb felt that Butcher didn’t deserve sympathy after what he had put people through. After all Butcher’s crimes, Constable Robb is the one who delivers justice. In conclusion the novel ‘A New Kind of Dreaming’ by Anthony Eaton uses characterisation to portray the issue of the abuse of power and authority.
Characters such as Sergeant Butcher and Lorraine abused their positions in different ways. Butcher used his authority to cover up his own crimes whilst Lorraine abused her position of trust to have a relationship with a younger client who was under her care. Jamie, the central character is the link between these characters. When he follows his instincts that something is wrong, it caused a domino effect which led to Lorraine and McPherson’s deaths and Butcher finally being put in prison for his crimes. Would you be brave enough to report someone in authority or keep quiet like Lorraine and McPherson.
