Mulligan Trash Analysis

Essay Topic: Mulligan presents what life is like for disadvantaged dumpsite dwellers. How does he do this?
Andy Mulligan, the author of the novel ‘Trash’, uses multiple techniques to bring the reader into the perspective of disadvantaged dumpsite dwellers. His text is in the form of a first person narrative and this helps to make the text more personal. Also, the use of descriptive writing and familiarity appeals to a reader’s sensibilities and invites them to look at the story from a different position. Moreover, he creates issues that represent common dilemmas - the trash boys face.
Firstly, there is the use of the narrative technique. A narrative is comprised of tools such as flashbacks, flash-forwards, and transitions that often create tension and build to a climax. The focus of a narrative is on the plot, which is usually presented in chronological order. In nearly every chapter, the narrator transitions from the protagonists to various recurring characters and even to a house maid, who only makes one appearance. As
Description uses tools like connotative, figurative and denotative language, as well as metaphors and similes to leave a prominent impression. The details it contains elicit an emotional, physical, or mental response from the reader. The book starts by introducing one of the protagonists, Raphael. He begins, “My name is Raphael Fernandez and I am a dumpsite boy.” As the chapter continues, Mulligan proceeds with the fundamentals of a basic introduction, however, as he’s doing this he uses descriptive writing. “..you can smell Behala long before you see it. It must be about two hundred football pitches big, or maybe a thousand basketball courts – I don’t know: it seems to go on forever.” Raphael uses descriptive language and his use of the football pitches and basketball courts allows us to understand the size with ease. He makes it familiar. This familiarity is further discussed in the next