Overview
Theme and Quotations
In 'The Gathering', Nathanial is already seen as a member of the Calling when Lallie (a member herself) says that he is the fifth and last member of the chosen (page 43). In the beginning of chapter 8 it becomes clearly obvious that the other members of the group have accepted him, "Nissa gave Danny an unfriendly look. 'You heard what Lallie said, Danny-O. He's one of us.'" (page 44). "What do you mean the choosing? Who chose me?" "No one ... you chose to answer the Call." "I didn't choose anything." (page 44) shows that Nathanial was already seen as a member and that he chose to answer the Call and belong to the group.
Novel Deconstruction
"'Cheshunt is not the place for people who want to stand out, because loners are trouble-makers. Those individualists you seem so fond of, are the ones who make life hard for everyone else.' Mr Karle's voice suddenly had an edge. 'Don't swim upstream, Nathanial. There is no room for salmon at Three North.'" (page 30)
'The Gathering', a novel composed by Isobelle Carmody, explores a variety of themes such-like conformity and belonging. The excerpt above said by Mr Karle reveals the message that whoever does not conform to the neighbourhood's approach of lifestyle and attitude to belong would make things harder for the rest of them. The phrase further states that Mr Karle is demanding Nathanial to exist to the order of Cheshunt, whereas Nathanial concludes that he will not correspond to their system. If, hypothetically, Nathanial was to belong to the order and system of Cheshunt, he would not find and have his sense of belonging. He would become one of Mr Karle's pawn who'd obey him, similarly to an ant who would obey and follow their queen, "ants would make good slaves, because they obey orders and work till they drop." (Page 29) When Mr Karle says to Nathanial that "loners are trouble-makers", he clearly implies that those who endeavors to find their own identity, their sense of belonging, and whom do not conform the neighbourhood's lifestyle and attitude of belonging is opposing the culture and conformity of Cheshunt.
'The Gathering', a novel composed by Isobelle Carmody, explores a variety of themes such-like conformity and belonging. The excerpt above said by Mr Karle reveals the message that whoever does not conform to the neighbourhood's approach of lifestyle and attitude to belong would make things harder for the rest of them. The phrase further states that Mr Karle is demanding Nathanial to exist to the order of Cheshunt, whereas Nathanial concludes that he will not correspond to their system. If, hypothetically, Nathanial was to belong to the order and system of Cheshunt, he would not find and have his sense of belonging. He would become one of Mr Karle's pawn who'd obey him, similarly to an ant who would obey and follow their queen, "ants would make good slaves, because they obey orders and work till they drop." (Page 29) When Mr Karle says to Nathanial that "loners are trouble-makers", he clearly implies that those who endeavors to find their own identity, their sense of belonging, and whom do not conform the neighbourhood's lifestyle and attitude of belonging is opposing the culture and conformity of Cheshunt.
Link to the concept
'The Gathering' written by Isobelle Carmody is a strong text that conveys the concept of belonging. This can be shown in many parts of the book. A powerful example for this can be when Nathanial is accepted into the 'Calling' without him even realising. The concept of belonging is shown in this as Nathanial is considered to be a part of the group even though he didn't know he was. "What do you mean the choosing? Who chose me?" "No one," she answered, looking momentarily less vague in her surprise. "You chose to answer the Call."
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