The Changeling

Robert Jenkins

Changeling:

A creature, in animal or human form,

supposed to be left by the fairies or

‘other folk’ in place of one they had

stolen; often applied to a dwarfish,

ill-favoured person or animal,

spreading an evil influence.”

(p.110)

Features of the text:• The central concern(s) / theme(s)• Characterisation• Setting• Key Incident(s) • Narrative technique• Symbolism• Structure• Climax• Plot• Atmosphere• Dialogue• Imagery

Theme

• Write a sentence summing up what, for you, is the central concern of the novel. It should relate directly to issues raised by the main characters – Charlie and Tom.

• When you have your statement, select several key incidents throughout the novel where this theme is introduced, developed and finally ‘resolved’.

ThemeThe maiming effects of povertyRobin Jenkins explores the destructive effect of poverty in many of his novels, The Changeling being one of them. He contrasts the horrors of slum life in Donaldson’s Court with the radiant pastoral beauty of Towellan and shows how seemingly well intended gestures to ‘help’ the poor can end in tragedy. Tom Curdie, having been removed from slum life and given a tantalising glimpse of family life in comfortable surroundings, finds that he cannot face returning to the squalor and corruption of the place that he cannot bear to call home.

Jenkins uses both setting and character to develop this theme. Consider…

• His descriptions of Donaldson’s Court.• His portrayal of Queenie, Shoogle, Chick and Peerie.• The complexity of Tom’s character as he fights slum life.• The attitudes of others towards Tom.• The attitudes of others towards slum dwellers in general.• The contrasting descriptions of Towellan.• Charlie Forbes’ inability to understand the depths of Tom’s problems.

ThemeIdealism versus RealismJenkins examines whether it is possible for goodness to rise above the brutalising effect of environment and whether Charlie Forbes’ motives in helping Tom are entirely pure. Forbes’ altruism seems to be tainted by self-interest and though he believes he has a greater understanding of Tom than his other teachers, his idealistic view is shattered by the reality of events in Towellan and his weaknesses are exposed. Goodness here is not neatly coloured black or white; the moral ambiguity of the characters is obvious and Jenkins invites his readers to make up their own minds. Think about…

• Other characters’ opinions of Charlie (humbug, pompous, bore).• Curdie’s creed (which showed an acceptance of reality).• Charlie’s rejection of Tom.• Charlie beginning to accept his own failure.• Tom’s desperation and eventual suicide.

Charlie wants to save Tom –“If there is to be salvation, there must be sacrifice and risk…”But ironically, it is Tom who becomes the sacrifice.

Other key ideas:

• Broken family • Love• Sense of identity• Disappointment• Nature vs. Nurture• Misunderstanding others• Suffering• Hypocrisy• Inequalities• Prejudice

CharacterisationChoose two main characters and one minor character to study.Make notes in terms of ‘characterisation’ i.e. how the characters are brought to life for us by Jenkins/how we form opinions of them/what evidence he gives us.Look at:

• What they say.• What they do.• Their appearance.• What other characters say about them.• Their inner thoughts/feelings.

Remember to collect some significant quotations about each one.Answer the questions about Tom and Charlie on the sheets provided (you should also read over ‘Charlie’s Character Commentary’ and ‘Curdie’s Creed’ in your handout)

SettingSetting obviously plays an important part in the novel linking directly to the themes of poverty, deprivation, opportunity or lack of it, class divisions, prejudice/stereotyping and to character for both Tom and Charlie. To revise setting work through the following:

• Pick our some quotations for both Towellan and Donaldson’s Court which sum up the contrasts between the two places.

• Pick out some examples/quotations to illustrate what Towellan represents to Charlie.

• Do the same for Tom’s reaction to Donaldson’s Court.• Pick out some examples/phrases to show the effect of the slums on

the people who live there.• Find some examples where Jenkins deliberately uses the beauty of

Towellan to contrast with the ugliness/meanness of the characters’ actions.

• Look at Charlie’s changing reaction to Canada Hill.Also complete the questions on setting on the worksheet provided.

Atmosphere

• Setting relates to atmosphere – think about the various descriptions of place and how they change to affect atmosphere in the novel.

• Characters thoughts and feelings also create atmosphere.

• The sense of atmosphere can also help to emphasise themes.

Key Incidents

You should be able to identify the key incidents / turning points in the novel.(Remember if discussing a turning point you must discuss what had gone before and show how it set the scene for the eventual outcome.)

• The theft at the school (ch. 4)• Mrs Storrock’s certainty of heaven (p.44-45)• The Rabbit Incident (ch. 9)• The theft at Woolworths (ch. 11)• Gillian telling Mary about the theft (ch. 12)• Charlie finds out the truth and decides Tom must leave (ch. 16)• Canada Hill (ch. 17) • Tom’s suicide (ch. 22)

Narrative Technique

• Use of omniscient narrator (third person / having unlimited knowledge of characters)– Allows shifting focus and perspective (see things

from several points of view)– Heightens the desperate sense of hopeless

misunderstanding between Tom and other characters

Symbolism

• Towellan and what it represents (an antidote / source of restoration)

• The stray cat in Chapter 3• Charlie ripping up the ferry tickets• The rabbit• Excrement / contraceptives• References to Tom as a ‘changeling’ • Charlie’s clenched, empty fist• Tom’s bloody hand

Structure / Plot

Can you identify the following elements of the plot?

1) Introduction / Exposition2) Rising Action (CONFLICT introduced)3) Climax4) Falling Action5) Denouement / Resolution

Structure / Plot

• Re-read the opening few pages. Think about an essay task which invites you to show how the opening relates to the novel as a whole. Make some notes in this respect about Charlie, Tom, theme and setting.

• Re-read the last few pages. Make notes about character, setting, themes and plot. Structure your notes to demonstrate that the novel’s ending was inevitable, though shocking.

Climax

• ‘The most intense part of a series of events’– When Charlie realises the truth about himself and

cuts Tom off– Gillian’s realisation and need to help Tom

–Tom’s suicide

Dialogue

• Use of dialogue gives insight to characters (especially Charlie, Mary and Mrs Storrocks)

• Tom’s lack of voice is symbolic of his lack of identity

• Use of dialogue involving characters from Donaldson’s Court highlights crude differences between them and the Forbes family

Imagery Jenkins often starts and ends a chapter with a simile / metaphor to convey something important about a character / relationship (especially Charlie and Tom). Select three or four of these and work out what comments you would make on how they add to our understanding of characters / situations. Examples: Charlie compared to the Good Samaritan (p.1) The Forbes family’s ‘suburban sanctuary’ (p. 10)

Mr Fisher’s pet tiger (p. 7 & 17) Covenanters / Mrs Storrocks (p. 44)Changeling (title, p. 51, 64, 101, 108 & 110) Charlie ‘like an exile returning’ (p. 56)Description of white rose (p. 60) Descriptions of Tom (p. 63)The rabbit incident (p. 70-72) Description of Gillian’s ‘mission’ (p. 86)The brooch / the secret (p. 91) ‘The battle of Tom Curdie (p.94)Tom is ‘like a spy’ (p. 109) Chick’s coarse / vulgar use of imagery (p.111)What Tom wants (p.125) The buoyancy of faith (p. 129)Descriptions of Charlie on Canada Hill (p. 150-151)Gillian’s realisation (p.156) Gillian’s feeling trapped in the hut (p. 187)