![]() As the novel progresses, this theme is reinforced by several incidents which are manufactured to incite sympathy for Jones at the hands of Corrigan’s hypocrisy. He’s a rotten model… the example of where poor aptitude and attitude will lead” (p6/7) Further, Silvey makes a powerful link between injustice and hierarchy through Jasper’s distrust of the authorities, which forms a pedestal for the narrative itself. He’s Mum’s dead and his father’s no good. It is poignant that not even Charlie, the novel’s moral guide and the reader’s ‘conscience’, can transcend this hypocrisy, “He’s a Thief, a Liar, a Thug, a Truant. Jasper Jones’ character is victimised by prejudice and subjugated by authoritarianism in his societal microcosm. Jasper Jones is an embodiment of Silvey’s conception of good and evil stereotyped as ‘bad news’ and oppressed by the broken hierarchical system, Jasper ultimately manifests as a moral protagonist and rises as a true hero despite his repressive circumstances. ![]() Charlie’s innocent worldview as a moral flagship of adolescence, juxtaposes the ‘awakening’ experiences of his character and provides a platform to enlighten the reader as to the shroud of ambiguity surrounding the perception of good and evil: is social status truly indicative of intramural morality? The reader is inclined to empathise with the morally relatable character of Charlie Bucktin, whose revelatory narrative and character development explores the ‘true nature’ of good and evil in society and whose interactions with stereotypical character personalities highlight the hypocrisy of social status. Silvey’s projection of a contorted societal paradigm aligns with the prevailing archetype for a coming-of-age novel, best described by Lois Stover (2001) who asserts that youth literature should mirror the complexity and consternation of realistic adolescent development. Allegorically vivid, the plot compels the reader to examine the capriciousness of the model of good and evil in hierarchical society and, by implication, the impact of prejudice and perspective. Perhaps the most apprising motif is that of the subversion of the traditional good and evil model. Indeed, Craig Silvey’s Jasper Jones is synonymous with transformative themes of moral enlightenment surrounding the adolescent experience. Roberto Unger, draws many parallels between young adult literature and the dynamic nature of the human moral condition. Human morality is fundamentally undermined by ambiguity and complexity prominent philosopher, prof. In this analytical essay, Joshua Cabucos discusses the theme of moral enlightenment and transformation in Craig Silvey’s novel ‘Jasper Jones’.
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