How does the structure of Noughts and Crosses help to reinforce the key themes in the novel?

In this essay I will be analysing and evaluating the structural techniques used in Malorie Blackman s language throughout the novel, and identifying different layers of meaning of her writing using textual evidence. The theme of racism is very strong all the way through the novel, and is demonstrated in Blackman s use of structural and linguistic devices. Sephy yearns for her and Callum s relationship to be accepted in their society, and says, There was just one thing that stopped my day from being entirely perfect. If only Callum and I didn t have to sneak and creep around. If only Callum wasn t a nought. Blackman uses the near rhyming verbs sneak and creep to show that their love for each other was forbidden, therefore forcing Sephy and Callum to keep their relationship private. The phrase If only Callum wasn t a nought may also hint that Sephy understands the only way they could be together in the world they live in would be if they were both born of the same race, in this case the crosses . Some readers might interpret this phrase as an example of how Sephy feels this single yet huge factor would make her day entirely perfect . The writer repeats the words if only to also portray Sephy s realisation of how her culture will not accept this relationship unless Callum was a cross. By using these techniques Blackman captures the main theme of racism in this text. The significant theme of love is conveyed in the novel in Blackman s use of a variety of devices. When Callum is accepted a place in Heathcroft, he believes this level of schooling will let him be with Sephy as they wish, in public. And with a proper education behind me, nothing could stand in the way of me and Sephy. Nothing, The writer uses the declarative nothing could stand in the way to show Callum is convinced he can defy society s racist culture, and that he has a very determined and courageous character. These qualities seem to be fuelled by his love for Sephy, and he has faith that he may not have had before their love blossomed. This quote also suggests the technique of foreshadowing, for as we have learnt from previous chapters in the novel, the communities that the two protagonists live in are extremely different, therefore making the possibility of a great quantity of factors still standing in the way of their relationship highly likely, even if Callum s education is completed. These structural and linguistic techniques that Blackman utilises reinforce the portrayal of the intense affection that Callum feels for Sephy throughout the novel.

Powerful language and structure applied in the text helps the reader establish an understanding of how the topic of hate plays a considerable part in the story. Following the event in which Sephy attempts to sit beside Callum and other noughts at lunchtime, Callum is exceptionally angry at her for humiliating him. I lay on my stomach and punched the sand. And again, and again. Until I was pounding with both fists. Until my knuckles were red, raw and bleeding. The two alliterative verbs punched and pounding sound quite violent implying Callum s strong resentment towards Sephy, and they may in addition show the force at which he was punching at. As a successful structural and presentational device, Blackman uses short, dramatic sentences to increase tension and to show the terse manner in which Callum was acting. The author uses tripling adjectives when describing the appearance of his knuckles: red, raw and bleeding and this aids the reader s awareness of the immensity of Callum s frustration. By using these devices, Blackman also exposes to her audience that life is rarely perfect, and relationships are sometimes affected by prejudice and disagreements even in the world today. We can see from the thematic features that she feels strongly about these particular issues.

Blackman portrays loneliness and desperation using emotive language and a sharp structure. After Lynette s death is revealed to Callum as suicide, he reminisces to the last time he saw her. Bye everyone, Lynny smiled softly, the saddest loneliest smile I ve ever seen. And she shut the door behind her and was gone. She d given up on life. The writer uses adjectives saddest and loneliest to show how extreme Lynette s situation was, or to show how Callum felt pity for her at this time of desperation. The short, simple sentences also may demonstrate his disbelief at her death, and his exasperation at the fact she didn t only give up on life, but also on the whole family especially Callum. Blackman uses Lynette s suicide as an illustration of how difficult life was for noughts in this racist dystopia, and how some were prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to escape from the living hell many lived in. These devices add to the effectiveness of Blackman s portrayal of this key theme.

The structural technique of mirroring is used in various points in the novel. As Callum has experienced suicide of a close family member, Sephy finds her mother lying on her floor passed out after a pill overdose.

I ran along the landing to the phone shock freezing my eyes wide open. Mother had tried to kill herself. My mother had tried to kill herself. Blackman s use of mirroring shows the reader that even though the two races in the story are very separate, they go through similar situations and sufferings. The phrase Mother had tried to kill herself is repeated showing the reader that Sephy is shaken by this sudden realisation of what her Mother had just done, a person so close to her, just as a close relative of Callum had done too. The repetition also creates a sense of drama. Death and suicide are major themes in this part of the story, and Blackman uses mirroring and repetition to emphasise this.

Blackman portrays the crucial decisions that have to be made in daily lives through an ultimatum given by Kamal for Callum and Sephy. They must decide whether to let Sephy keep her baby and Callum is hanged, or save Callum and make her have an abortion. (Sephy) And then just like that, there was no choice. I had my answer. I knew what I was going to tell my dad. God help me, I knew. This quote contains a lot of short declaratives that show Sephy s great certainty of the choice she was going to make, without Blackman making it obvious what she was actually going to do. This technique gives the reader a sense of anticipation for the next part of the plot, without clearly foreshadowing. (Callum) Time to choose. A choice to live or die with... I knew it would damn me to hell, but I knew it was the right one. Blackman uses the term damn me to hell to suggest Callum s death, therefore foreshadowing his decision that he will sacrifice himself for his child. The dramatic short sentences help the reader understand the tension in this situation, a choice to live or die with. a matter of life and death.

Mirroring is also used in this section of the novel, and throughout the dual narration. Dual narration is used to give the audience a deeper understanding of the protagonists feelings and situations, and is a constructive technique used in many of Blackman novels.

In conclusion, I feel that Malorie Blackman uses a variety and number of structural and linguistic devices extremely effectively throughout this novel Noughts and Crosses , and these techniques let her portray her opinions and views against racism and prejudice in our society clearly to her audience.