How Does Chandler Use Language Change Throughout The Novel

The narration of the story is from that of first person point of view from the main character Anna’s perspective; moreover, this can be depicted by the use of I and me throughout the novel. With Anna’s age, also comes an informal speech pattern. Chandler uses language such as “obviously”, “no way”, and others to show that Anna is an older teenager along with abbreviation such as “manse”, “ruts and shells”, and “OBE’s” or out-of-body experiences. This continues to be seen with how Anna addresses adults respectfully; for instance, Uncle Will, Great-Aunt Iris, Mr. Wittstadt, Mrs. Sanchez and etcetera. This changes, though, with people Anna is familiar with, or people who are her own age; for instance, this can be demonstrated by how she calls her adoptive mother, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, mom and calls her birth mother Joanna or mother. , and can be perceived through the naming of Anna’s adoptive siblings: Jack, Grace, Claire, and Rose.
Firstly, the cop uses formal language as he gives Anna the report for Will’s murder using wording such as “next of kin” and so on and so forth. Secondly, it can be seen within the first and second newspaper article with them detailing two separate murders and using language analogous to that of a coroner or private investigator. Another form of language can be shown when Iris has one of her moments of mental instability. Anna uses language many would use when speaking to a young child using a quiet voice and asking if she was ok. Within this scene, Iris also refuses to use the past tense verb form when speaking of Will and continues to use the present tense verb form when speaking of him; furthermore, this shows that she still believes him to still be around even after his death, which can be proven to her with her psychic