Idea - Identity

The idea of Identity is investigated in Saving Francesca in different literary techniques.  For example the use of colloquial language “Do you know what we call you? Bitch Spice, Butch Spice, Slut spice and stupid spice.” Pg 124 In this quote Thomas Mackee labels the girls of St. Sebastian  and to Francesca  surprise h as the Bitch spice, she realises that our own perspective on ourselves and others may not be as true as we think. The effectiveness of colloquial language in the quote creates an informal conversational tone displaying the casual relationship between the characters.

 Another example  which shows the idea of Identity is  ‘I didn’t want the baby… But Mia was ecstatic and she’d say, “This is a sign, Robert. My father’s died and we’ve been sent this baby.” Pg 225 Then she had the miscarriage and I felt so guilty, as if I had willed it to death.’  As the reader we see Robert being upfront with Francesca telling her about Mia’s miscarriage.  Being truthful with others is important to identity as it defines if you are a trustworthy person or not.   The author is successful in using the technique of Verbal Irony as it creates  contrariety between Robert not wanting to have the baby and then feeling bad for willing it to death.

Identity is also explored in the discovery or rediscovery of your true self. “I was either talking to much in Year 7, or not talking enough in Year 8. I was either too smart for my own …I’d be told to find a place of my own, rather than letting the girls find it for me” pg27-28 the literary technique of flashback in this quote is effective as it contrasts her past from her future.  The idea of identity is created and developed in the novel Saving Francesca through a range of narrative techniques such as colloquial language, flashbacks, irony etc.