Chapters 5 to 9

Plot

Narrative Structure

You must be able to: analyse the novel’s two-part structure.

What story elements are set up in Part 1?

Part 1 begins in 1741. The rst three chapters establish Otis Gardiner as a threat to Ashbrook. This rst part also develops the friendship between Alexander and Thomas, and shows the start of Meshak’s obsession with Melissa. This part builds to a high point of tension and release in two stages. First, Alexander’s father forces him to leave the choir school. This leads him to leave Ashbrook – after making love to Melissa. The second stage is the consequence: Melissa becomes pregnant, and her baby is given to Otis, then saved by Meshak.

How does Part 2 develop to a climax and resolution?

This part begins in 1750. Melissa’s baby, Aaron, is now an eight-year-old at Coram, and is friends with Toby. Both are watched over by Mish (Meshak). Alexander and Thomas have established themselves in musical careers. Otis Gardiner, meanwhile, has managed to have someone else hanged in his place, and has reinvented himself as Gaddarn. Trouble develops in Chapters 18–19 when Aaron and Toby are separated and Toby is sent to serve Gaddarn. This is pivotal, as it is Gaddarn saying that he will sell Toby into slavery that makes Alexander realise that he looks familiar. It is also Toby who overhears Gaddarn discussing his human traf cking, and who eventually runs for help when Gaddarn puts Aaron and Meshak on the slave ship. The storylines of Otis/Gaddarn and Meshak, and those characters associated with Ashbrook, merge in the two-part climax of Chapter 32: Thomas dies defending Alexander; Aaron and Toby escape the slave ship. The climax is followed by the falling action of Chapter 32, which reveals the characters’ losses and gains.

How does the novel create suspense and dramatic tension?

The novel creates and releases tension. For example, the tension created by Sir William’s opposition to Alexander’s music is released by Alexander leaving Ashbrook, but it is not yet resolved, because Alexander leaves Melissa pregnant, and he is lost to his family for nine years. The novel also raises questions. Will Alexander return? Will he and Melissa be reunited? Will Aaron survive? Will he nd his parents? Will Otis face justice? Tension is relaxed at times before being wound up again. Thus, after the drama at the end of Part 1, we have the relatively calm Chapters 15–17, in which we see Aaron and Toby as friends, Aaron apprenticed and Alexander ourishing.

This process is enriched by foreshadowing through which the author hints at later events. For example, when Thomas glimpses Meshak spying in Chapter 8, he is ‘ lled with unease’, which alerts the reader to danger.

What is the purpose of the Epilogue?

The Epilogue provides closure. The novel begins with Meshak being bullied, and he is a pivotal character, so it is appropriate that the novel ends with him. In fact the author has said that her rst version of the novel began with what is now the Epilogue, with the whole story being told as a ashback. The Epilogue shows that Meshak has in part come to terms with his murders. It also tells us that his greatest happiness remains being able to see Melissa, Aaron and Toby.

Key Quotations to Learn

Thomas shuddered. Filled with unease, he closed the shutters. (Chapter 8) ‘Mr Ashbrook … I think I’m your son.’ (Aaron to Alexander: Chapter 32) Otis Gardiner … had never been caught to face justice. (Chapter 32)

Summary

• The novel is in two parts, roughly nine years apart. • Part 1 leaves questions unanswered and tensions unresolved. • Part 2 shows how the characters have changed in the eight years since Part 1 ended. • In Part 2 the characters’ lives entwine more closely, leading to climax and resolution. • The falling action reveals the characters’ losses and gains. • The Epilogue gives closure.

Questions

QUICK TEST 1. Over how many years in total is the novel spread? 2. How does Sir William create acute narrative tension? 3. What makes the start of Part 2 fairly calm? 4. What two things does Meshak do that are pivotal to the plot? 5. Who does the Epilogue focus on?

EXAM PRACTICE Draw a storyline and indicate on it what you consider to be the ve or six key moments in the novel.