Thursday 6 November 2014

Explore the significance of structure in Part 4

14 comments:

  1. Throughout the novel Brighton Rock, Pinkie and Rose's relationship is emphasised through the use of structure. This is shown by Greene using the flowing nature of the novel from beginning, middle and end to link to the heightening of Pinkie and Rose's relationship. For instance, the beginning of the book highlights Pinkies lack of appeal for Rose and his repulsion of women this is heightened continuously within the novel especially towards the end when Pinkie tells Rose to kill herself for his own selfish needs. Greene uses the fragmented structure of the novel to reflect to the reader that their relationship is only real for Rose. The rockiness showing how Pinkie pulls away from Rose, whereas Rose clings to Pinkie, "She belonged to him like a room or a chair, the boy fetched up a smile for the blind, lost face uneasily with obscure shame." The structure of this sentence even shows how Pinkie and Rose's relationship has had a damaging development as Rose 'belongs' to Pinkie, emphasising how Rose is treated more like an object than a person in Pinkies eyes, something that he can manipulate. The word 'shame' tells us that Pinkie doesn't know what to feel about Rose, the word even infers that Pinkie cares. The fact that this is at the end of part 4 affects the reader as it enables them to think differently of Pinkie seeing him as both a manipulator and an underlying caring character, from his usual brutal and emotionless self. The third person perspective highlights Pinkies uneasy state of mind as he doesn't know how to feel about the situation. His fake nature being portrayed through him smiling at Rose's 'lost face' and as reader we can see that her blindness is due to Pinkie's lying nature to both himself and Rose. This links to the theme of appearance versus reality as Pinkie is continuously appearing as something he's not throughout the novel, the structure insinuating this at the end of the book Greene using the bottle of vitriol to symbolise this. For example, the vitriol reflecting how Pinkie only wears a mask in the book - him and Rose's relationship being fake and his personality being an 'act,' by burning to death in his own vitriol, Greene could be representing how Pinkie is losing this mask and how that could only have been done by his death. The degrading and heightening events in the novel and its structural build up alluding to this.
    -Amy

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  2. Greene uses structure in Brighton rock to portray the complex relationship of Pinkie and Rose to the reader. The quote ‘she belonged to him like a room or a chair: the boy fetched up a smile for the blind lost face, uneasily, with obscure shame.’ This is found at the very end of part four and highlights to the reader that this relationship is not at all natural. The comparison of Rose to a room or a chair immediately shows how Pinkie objectifies her and does not think that she is of any worth. These things are also considered to be relatively boring, bland and ordinary; which the reader already knows is very similar to Pinkies perception of Rose as it is mentioned earlier on in the novel, this further description enforces Greene’s intentions concerning the readers opinion on Pinkie clearly showing him to be emotionless and unloving. It is also highly significant that this quote is found at the end of part four in the novel as this shows the relevance and importance of Pinkies feelings, or lack of feelings towards Rose. Greene intends for this line of thought to be kept in mind as the reader continues on with the story.

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  3. Within the novel of Brighton Rock, Greene uses structure to emphasis and show the development of Pinkie and Rose's relationship. 'He was aware that she belonged to his life; like a room or a chair: she was something which completed him' This is found towards the end of part four, it also appears at the very end of part four 'She belonged to him like a room or a chair: the Boy fetched up a smile for the blind lost face, uneasily, with obscure shame' From this you can infer that Pinkie has no emotional attachment to her on a level which will benefit her, he only uses her for his own good, comparing her to a 'chair' shows that she is nothing more than an object to him. The repetition of the phrase 'she belonged to him like a room or a chair' emphasis this, it also emphasis how cold and heartless Pinkie is, as he knows he has a level of control over her, therefore being able to manipulate and use her in life which he considers to be a game of tactics. It being placed at the end of part 4 suggests that Greene wants you to remember this idea as the story progresses as it is at the heart of Rose and Pinkies relationship, which is linked to the theme of good vs evil, as they come as a pair, and that's why Rose 'completes' Pinkie, as she is so pure and he is not at all.
    Eleanor

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  4. Greene uses repetition and the emphasis on the end of the chapter to explore Pinkie's and Rose's relationship in Part 4. The repetition of Pinkie claiming Rose "belonged to him like a room or a chair" and it being repeated in the in the final paragraph of part 4 as well as the imagery used in the second to last paragraph in the end of part 4 is an example of how structure is used to illustrate Pinkie's and Rose's relationship. The imagery of Rose having the same value to Pinkie as a “room or a chair” suggests Pinkie’s lack of compassion or emotional attachment towards Rose due the comparison of Rose to the inanimate objects of a “room or chair”, despite their recent marriage arrangements. Describing Rose as a “room or a chair” suggests how Pinkie may be able to manipulate her how he sees fit and that she is now a possession to him, further implying the lack of affection towards her. However, contradicting this image of his lack of affection, the narrator describes that “her fidelity touched him (Pinkie) like cheap music” and as the motif of music represents Pinkie’s feelings, this quote contradicts the use of repetition as it suggests that Rose’s innocence and youth emotes feelings of desire from Pinkie. Furthermore, at the end of the chapter, Pinkie’s desire to kiss Rose with as little artificiality ie. with as little make up on her as possible, further shows Pinkie’s passion to her. The significance of the repetition of Rose belonging to Pinkie “like a chair or room” is able to exemplify Pinkie’s lack of emotional connection to Rose. Yet Greene’s use of the end of the chapter for emphasis illustrates to the reader Pinkie’s confused and two minded state about Rose as through the repetition of Rose “belonging” to Pinkie”like a room or chair” contradicting the image of Pinkie’s eagerness to kiss Rose, Greene leaves the reader questioning Pinkie’s real emotions towards Rose and ultimately leaving the reader confused over the issue similar to Pinkie. The use of this being at the end of that chapter signifies the importance of this situation in Rose’s and Pinkie’s relationship as despite being engaged, Pinkie is unsure of his emotion attachment to Rose.

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  5. Graham Greene does accentuate the complexities of relationship through the purpose of structure, within the novel, Brighton Rock. The relationship of Pinkie, and Spicer is emphasised within Part 4, and particularly through the application of foreshadowing, “Have a good time while you’re here”. This quotation is explicit, and definitive depicting the particular relationship, as exhausted, and depleted. There is little sentiment, or emotionalism within the speech, which does, too, reflect the character of Pinkie, as a detached individual. Greene does enable foreshadowing to supplement a greater insight, and intricacy within the novel, though does, also, implement anticipation, and tension. A reader may consciously, too, unconsciously appreciate the indication and such does enable to express an outcome in anticipation of the particular development. Foreshadowing is of compelling, too, as it does focus a reader’s attentions upon the application, it does identify a significant theme, within the novel, through the purpose of foreshadowing, and the reader does acknowledge this. In such particular quotation, the reader can, too, identify the expectant occurrence of the death of Spicer, of which does intensify tension. - Ben Spicer

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  6. Structurally Greene manipulates the text to emphasise Rose and Pinkie’s troubled relationship. “She belonged to him like a room or a chair: the Boy fetched up a smile for the blind lost face, uneasily, with obscure shame.”. By comparing Rose to furniture it is symbolic of Pinkie’s bland and detached feelings towards her. She is simply a belonging of his, of whom he can manipulate with no guilt or attachment to meet his needs. This contradicts towards Rose’s obsessive-compulsive behaviour towards her affections towards him. The idea that this is quoted at the very end of part 4 is reflective of Pinkie’s ongoing disregard for Rose, that she is the last thought to cross his mind, how her insignificance towards him is so poor that his own wife is not a prime thought in his twisted mindset. Contradicting this idea of neglect Pinkie shows towards Rose could be that Pinkie is infact displaying his somewhat distorted feelings towards Rose known through this quote. The idea that ‘she belonged to him’ shows how he took her own as his own responsibility, as a burden towards the existence of his gang, He has the obvious option of killing her as he did Spicer, but this is not a thought that ever seems to cross his mind, displaying his hidden affections. It’s late positioning being at the end of part 4 is emblematic of how Rose is Pinkie’s last thought when making decisions, illustrative of his sincere fondness of her, he is out of his depth and unsure what way to react.

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  7. In Brighton Rock Greene uses structure to demonstrate Pinkie and Rose’s complex relationship. This can be seen in the quote “she belonged to him like a room or a chair”. The structure of this sentence is significant as it is located at the end of Chapter 4 which gives the statement a sense of finality as it is the last thing that is mentioned and the repetition of the phrase “she belonged” is important as it demonstrates that although his regard for her may change, from needing and hating her to feeling shameful for her, their relationship doesn’t and he still views her as nothing more than something he owns. Also the way that she “belonged” to him shows how he associates her with being nothing more than an object that he has and the casual way that he compares her to a “room” and a “chair” shows his disregard as they are items that don’t hold much value however are necessary, this may represent how despite needing her he still feels that she is worthless. Greene may have done this to demonstrate the theme of nature vs nurture as throughout the novel Pinkie views things as always belonging to someone such as a territory or a gang which may be a result of him associating with the gang at a young age, so makes him thing that something has to belong to someone whereas Rose doesn’t think like this and believes that when she and Pinkie are together they have the same feelings for each other, despite the disdain that the reader knows he feels for her, so feels that they are equal. This shows how Pinkies upbringing has resulted in him having completely different ideas of possession to Rose and her naivety.

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  8. Greene uses structural technique to portray the complex relationship of Pinkie and rose to the reader, this is shown at the end of part 4 when it describes Rose, "she belonged to him like a room or a chair: the boy fetched up a smile for the blind lost face, uneasily, with obscure shame.". Through comparing Rose to this inanimate objects Greene is able to present to the reader how unnatural and alien Pinkies feeling are towards Rose and his emotion for her. By showing Rose as "room or a chair" we as readers are able to see that Pinkie exerts total ownership over Rose he sees her as an item or object that is designed or put there for him, almost showing how Pinkie feels that Rose is useless without him, how her purpose is to be owned and almost used by him. Aswell as a sense of ownership, these objects are very bland and boring, much how Pinkie views Rose. She is seen as a standard girl which no man would look twice at. This instils in Pinkie a sense of hate towards her and anger as no man except for him is competing for her, this angers him as he views her as effectively nothing. Greene puts this decryption at the end of part 4 to help reinforce to the reader how inanimate Pinkie and Roses relationship truly is. Greene hopes this line will stay with us throughout the book, as it reappears later on when Pinkie describes other women and we are shown his feeling towards these other women.

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  9. Structure is a relevant object throughout the novel of Brighton Rock, Greene clearly intends for every piece of punctuation and the position of every word to be as it is, and so hold a meaning. "She belonged to him like a room or a chair: the Boy fetched up a smile for the blind lost face, uneasily, with obscure shame." This quote sums up the issue of the damaging relationship that the two teenagers are in, not only for Rose; physically putting herself in danger (being affiliated with the mob), but Pinkie exposing his emotions, or lack thereof, to the elements of a relationship. The quotes lies at the end of a chapter, and part 4, Greene chose this as the ending sentence to reiterate the movement of the relationship that Pinkie and Rose are in, despite lack of emotional movement, they have chosen to be married, a huge decision which should be taken seriously, as the characters do not take the decision seriously or understand the gravity of their actions, Greene uses the structure (placing this at the end of part 4) to emphasise this point in their relationship. As he does not add any content to the novel to emphasis this, just sentence positioning, it may be that he aims to convey that their relationship is moving, technically, but in terms of emotions and feelings shared, there is nothing more than before. The use of a colon in this sentence, and its placement, could be Greene showing us the separation Pinkie makes between his inner thoughts and feelings, and what he chooses to/is able to share with Rose, which you would expect to be his inner thoughts and feelings, being in a relationship, furthermore this only reinforces the strangeness surrounding their partnership. - Ed Hobson

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  10. Greene uses structural techniques to foreshadow Pinkies betrayal to Spicer in part 4 of the novel. The quote from Spicer; "its the last chance for me" presents the idea that Spicer is close to leaving the mob and that this is his 'all or nothing moment'. The use of the phrase last chance shows how if this occasion does not go in the way in which would benefit Spicer, then it will go in the completely opposite direction and crush his dreams of ever being able to leave the mob. Another way in which Green foreshadows the attack on Spicer (due to Pinkie setting it up) is through the name of the horse that Spicer backs in the races; "Momento Mori" the reason this is significant is because the Latin translation of this is 'remember death' this is ironic as as the chapter progresses, we see that Spicer unknowingly chose a horse whose name hinted towards an action/ event that occurs later in the part, to Spicer. By using these quotes early on in the chapter, Greene builds suspense and ambiguity surrounding Spicers fate, raising the question of whether he will survive and make his escape from the mob or not. -Tom Brooks

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  11. During part 4 of ‘Brighton Rock’ Greene demonstrates the issues within Pinkie and Rose’s relationship through his use of structure. The quotation ‘she belonged to him like a room or a chair: the boy fetched up a smile for the blind lost face, uneasily, with obscure shame.’ Accentuates Pinkies detachment and lack of emotion towards Rose through the comparison of Rose to a piece of furniture, symbolising her absent significance to Pinkie. Pinkies detachment from Rose is further established due to the nature of these objects being everyday, unimportant and conventional which mirrors his warped, alien views on her that has been revealed throughout the novel. This imposes Greene’s worries concerning ideas of damaging relationships. This quotation objectifies Rose and presents her as a possession of Pinkie, which gives the impression that Pinkie has no attachment towards her and is using her. This quote comes at the end of part 4, presenting to the reader how unnatural Pinkie and Rose’s is. Greene also does this to keep this idea of Rose (and other women) being possessions. – Alfie Narborough

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  12. During part 4 of ‘Brighton Rock’ Greene demonstrates the issues within Pinkie and Rose’s relationship through his use of structure. The quotation ‘she belonged to him like a room or a chair: the boy fetched up a smile for the blind lost face, uneasily, with obscure shame.’ Accentuates Pinkies detachment and lack of emotion towards Rose through the comparison of Rose to a piece of furniture, symbolising her absent significance to Pinkie. Pinkies detachment from Rose is further established due to the nature of these objects being everyday, unimportant and conventional which mirrors his warped, alien views on her that has been revealed throughout the novel. This imposes Greene’s worries concerning ideas of damaging relationships. This quotation objectifies Rose and presents her as a possession of Pinkie, which gives the impression that Pinkie has no attachment towards her and is using her. This quote comes at the end of part 4, presenting to the reader how unnatural Pinkie and Rose’s is. Greene also does this to keep this idea of Rose (and other women) being possessions. – Alfie Narborough

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  13. In Part 4 of Brighton Rock, Greene uses structure develop the complex relationship of Pinkie and Rose. The quote ‘She belonged to him like a room or a chair: the boy fetched up a smile for the blind lost face, uneasily, with obscure shame.’ This quote is found towards the end of this part of the novel which shows the reader that this attitude is almost forced and Pinkie has been attempting to conceal this as it does not comply with his normal personality. The idea of Rose being compared to a chair also shows that Pinkie objectifies her as a chair is seen to be an object that serves a purpose and does nothing more, this shows Pinkies sexist attitudes are present when Rose is taken into account. This also shows pinkie to be a more complicated character as before he was presented as emotionless and distant from society whilst now he is shown to be fighting his feelings towards Rose. - Dylan Peters

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  14. Greene uses the structure of the text to emphasize the idea that Pinkie and Rose are in a troubled relationship. The quote "she belonged to him like a room or a chair; the boy fetched up a smile for the lost face, uneasily, with a obscure shame". Comparing Rose to an item emphasizes Pinkies detachment from emotion and only sees Rose as a tool for hiding his murder from the police. Also the idea that Rose "belongs to him" emphasizes the idea that Rose may dependent on Pinkie in order to escape her past life and upbringing. The escape may be focuses solely around a males love, in this case Pinkie's which could lead to be a fatal decision in Rose's life. This quote appears at the end of part 4 to emphasize the relationship that Pinkie and Rose share, Pinkie feeling repelled while Rose has deep emotional commitment to Pinkie. Although they do have differences Greene chooses to close the part with this quote to show that both characters are dependent on one another in order to survive and exist. - Matt G

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