Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman

Categories: Novel

Essay, Pages 3 (517 words)

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Characters and settings in the book Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman help the reader to understand the themes and issues in Afghanistan. The themes of war, freedom, oppression and hope are particularly show through the characters of Jamal and his mother and through the settings of Afghanistan and the boat. This book is written in first person point of view, which helps the reader to understand how war affects children and how women are treated in Afghanistan.

The character Jamal shows the effect of war on children through his daily life in Afghanistan.

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This is show when Jamal says “ There’s no smoke or nerve gas or sandstorms. I can’t even hear any explosions. Which is really good.” Pg1 This quote highlights the effect of war on the children through the language Jamal uses which shows that it is a regular occurance. The boo shows the reader how war has effected children in Afghanistan and helps the reader to understand it more as it is from a child’s point of view.

The book has shown the reader how tough life is for children and the conditions that they live in, in Afghanistan.

The character of Jamal’s mother shows the effect of freedom and oppression through her daily life as a woman in Afghanistan. This is shown through the quote “Girls playing soccer is a crime. I say. Almost as big as mum and dad running an illegal school.” This quote shows how Jamal’s mother is running an illegal school as the government does not allow women to become teachers.

This is shown through the restrictions she faces which the government have made rules. The book has shown the reader what life is like for the women living in Afghanistan and how harsh the government are towards women. It has also shown the reader how very little rites women have and how many rites men have compared to women.

The setting of the boat shows the theme hope through the challenges Jamal, Bibi and their friends face. This can be shown through the quote “Pay full price, or we turn back…. I haven’t got anything he croaks in a tiny voice nor have I.” This quote shows that Jamal and Bibi have a lot of hope and belief even though they have no ide where their parents are and if they are ever going to see them again. This book has shown you must have courage, hope and belief to get through tough times even though it may not be easy.

Conclusion

Morris Gleitzman shows the themes and issues through the characters and settings in the book Boy Overboard. The reader is shown how tough it is for children especially as on the it is always about the people smugglers but this book focus’s on how war and conflict effects children and I show shown through a young boy named Jamal.