The Importance Of Relationships In Looking For Alibrandi Marchetta
reactions and relationships. Marchetta extensively explores the themes of family, tradition and culture/identity using different relationship, reactions, actions and dialogue.
Throughout the novel, the theme of tradition is shown thoroughly using relationships, actions, reactions and dialogue. Tradition is hugely important in this novel, as it is a big part of both John’s and Josie’s lives. Marchetta compares two different reactions to tradition, and expectations through John and Josie. John’s reaction to tradition, is that he can’t escape tradition, and he feels that he “always had to be the best, because it’s expected of me” (Looking for Alibrandi Marchetta. M, 1992 page 45) While, Josie knows she can change tradition, and actively tries not to end up …show more content…
By the end of the novel, John’s pressure from tradition causes him to kill himself, and Josie accepts that some traditions are important to her. Christina’s relationship with Katia, also shows tradition, as their relationship is strained by Christina not following Italian tradition (getting married and having children.) Katia, constantly wants Christina to follow tradition, like the Italian community does, however Christina feels that nothing she does will ever be good enough. “I’ve already disgraced myself in their eyes” (page 96) Christina says this to Katia, to explain that she can’t change their tarnished view of her. Michael’s actions show that he first ran away from tradition, by abandoning Christina, but now wants to do the ‘right thing’ and tries to correct his past mistakes. During Tomato Day, Josie says that it’s “a tradition we’ll never let go of” (page 175) this shows that Josie has changed and now understands that some traditions are important. This also ties in with family and culture, as a huge part of why she likes this tradition is because she’s with her
Throughout the novel, the theme of tradition is shown thoroughly using relationships, actions, reactions and dialogue. Tradition is hugely important in this novel, as it is a big part of both John’s and Josie’s lives. Marchetta compares two different reactions to tradition, and expectations through John and Josie. John’s reaction to tradition, is that he can’t escape tradition, and he feels that he “always had to be the best, because it’s expected of me” (Looking for Alibrandi Marchetta. M, 1992 page 45) While, Josie knows she can change tradition, and actively tries not to end up …show more content…
By the end of the novel, John’s pressure from tradition causes him to kill himself, and Josie accepts that some traditions are important to her. Christina’s relationship with Katia, also shows tradition, as their relationship is strained by Christina not following Italian tradition (getting married and having children.) Katia, constantly wants Christina to follow tradition, like the Italian community does, however Christina feels that nothing she does will ever be good enough. “I’ve already disgraced myself in their eyes” (page 96) Christina says this to Katia, to explain that she can’t change their tarnished view of her. Michael’s actions show that he first ran away from tradition, by abandoning Christina, but now wants to do the ‘right thing’ and tries to correct his past mistakes. During Tomato Day, Josie says that it’s “a tradition we’ll never let go of” (page 175) this shows that Josie has changed and now understands that some traditions are important. This also ties in with family and culture, as a huge part of why she likes this tradition is because she’s with her