Flashbacks/Foreshadowing

In the Messenger by Lois Lowry, there were a few small flashbacks and a good amount of foreshadowing. Now, chapter one of Messenger was a flashback. This is because the text says, "There was something he needed to do, a thing that scared him. Waiting just made it worse." (Lowry, chap 1). In the book Matty's life is explained and it shows him preparing supper with Seer, just like he would do any other day. Later on in the novel, it is explained on what Matty was scared of, his new powers. Now, in chapter 1 there is also foreshadowing. This is when Seer says that Forest is an illusion, " No, its an illusion." (Lowry, chap 1). Later on, specifically in the last chapter, it is revealed that Forest is an illusion. In the text it says, "It was a tangled knots of fears and deceit and dark struggles for power that had disguised itself and almost destroyed everything." (Lowry, chapter 21). In conclusion, there are some flashbacks and foreshadowing mentioned in Messenger, and it all helps you understand and want to read the novel.

What if it took place in a different setting?

If the Messenger by Lois Lowry took Place in a different setting then some symbolism and a bit of the plot might change. It could change by having no gaming machine, if this was in a time period where they didn't have they technology. Also the sewing machine in chapter 10 may not exist, or it may be something even better. Some of the plot might change by having the villagers have different ways of living. In chapter 6 it says, "... child whose eyes were thick with yellow mucus; it was common ailment of new ones, quickly healed with herbal mixtures." (Lowry, chap 6). This shows how they could fix thing with herbs, but if it was in a more modern time then medicine (pills, etc.) would be used.  Also, Matty may have never found the frog that helped him discover his abilities if it was in a time period or area where there wasn't a lot of wildlife/nature. Many little detail could change the novel bit by bit and it could eventually turn into a completely different story. In conclusion, symbolism and some of the plot could change if the novel had a different setting.

What if the Messenger took place in the future?

Climax

The climax of the Messenger was when Matty and Kira got to Forest. There is a lot of detail included and you don't know what will happen to the friends next. Some details are, "Once clear and cool, the water was now dark brown, clogged with dead insects, and it smelled of kinds of filth he could only guess at." (Lowry, chap. 17)." This shows imagery and detail in the story. Also this part of the story was very interesting, which is usually what the climax of a novel is. In the text it says, "...that Forest was shifting, moving, thickening, and preparing to destroy them." (Lowry, chap 16). This show one of the suspenseful and interesting things in this part of the story. It is the tipping point of the story, especially when it says that Leader and Kira met using their gifts. All of this proves that this is indeed the climax of the novel.

This has dirty water like the river in Forest!

Event 6

The last event is one of the most important events through the whole story. It's the solution to the conflict, the event where Matty dies. Even though he is weak, he still uses his powers to save everyone. In the text it says, "His brain and spirit became part of the earth." (Lowry, chap 21). This shows how Matty used his healing powers to restore the land to what it used to be. In the text it says, "Drifting there, he looked down and saw his own self becoming motionless." (Lowry, chap 21). This is the quote that tells you that Matty has died. Its pretty self-explanatory, too, once you read the quotes before it that say how he watched "his human self labor and writhe" and, how "he rose" and he "floated above" (Lowry, chap 21).  Over-all, this part of the story is the important because it's the solution and it concludes the book with explaining many things that happened in the story.

Matty died! :(

Event 5

Now, in chapter 10, the next event occurs. This event is when the villagers voted on closing the borders of Village. the reasons where interesting, considering the kind of place Village used to be. In the Text it says," We need all the fish for our selves. Our school is not big enough to teach their children, too only our own. They can't even speak right. We can't understand them. They have too many needs. We don't want to take care of them. And finally: We've done it long enough" (Lowry, chap 10). This long quote from Messenger are the reasons the people of Village want the borders to close. This is important because its right before of the climax of the novel and it is the cause of Matty going to find Kira at the climax. Since Village is closing, Seer's daughter can't come to Village. So, Matty sets off to get her and bring her back in time to live there. The events of this chapter where some of the most important.

Village is building a wall/border!

Event 4

This event is about the Trade Mart that Matty goes to experience. Before he goes to the Trade Mart, he talks to Seer about going there. Seer refuses and refuses, until Matty says that he will not trade and he will only listen. Now, the text says, "No wonder Seer didn't want me to come, Matty thought as he approached. It doesn't feel right." (Lowry, chap 7). In the text it also says, "None of them brought any goods to trade." (Lowry, chap 7). The first quote shows what Matty's reaction to the Trad Mart when he first gets there. The second is about what Matty notices when he is waiting for it to start, no  one brought anything to trade. This is important because it is even closer to the climax and the conflict has progressed drastically. With Matty noticing his surroundings and telling Seer about it, they will get closer to the cause of the conflict bit by bit.

Event 3

The third event is in chapter 6. The "New Ones", a term for new people coming to Village, are being greeted at the entrance of Village. Many people are greeting them and welcoming them to their new home, but that turns for the worse. A rebellion lead by Mentor come along, "with Mentor leading them- cam forward, chanting, "Close. Close. No more. No more" (Lowry chap 6). After this, Leader comes to the scene and welcomes the "New Ones"  while he peacefully tells the chanting group to go away. This is important because it shows the conflict of the story progressing and the climax coming closer. In the text it talks about Mentor and says, "His voice sounded different, Matty noticed. He saw that Leader, too, was noticing something about Mentor and was puzzled." (Lowry, chap 6). This shows how the conflict is progressing. The characters that were once protagonists changed into greedy antagonists and, the remaining characters are left puzzled by the sudden change.