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.

Event 2

Now, the second event is in chapter 5. The event is that Matty heals the mother dog and it's last puppy for Jean. This event shows what the foreshadowing in the first chapter meant. In the text it says, "...The frog was smaller, he thought..." (Lowry chap 5). Later in this quote Matty explained how he had found an injure frog. It had an injured leg and couldn't move, so he decided to cut it's leg off. Although, when he picked it up, he felt a painful feeling through his hand. He was healing the frog without knowing it! This is important because it explains how Matty found out about his powers. Without knowing this the audience could be lost in the novel and the plot wouldn't make any sense. This also affects the conflict a lot, since Matty's powers are the solution to it.

Event 1

In the Messenger, there were many events that stood out to me. This first event is in the first chapter, and it's the exposition. It explains Matty's community, which is completely different from the other ones so far. It also explains characters, some are from previous novels and others are from Village. This is important because it explains the setting, characters and it starts to lead into the conflict. In the text it says, "Matty was no longer a boy, but not yet a man." (Lowry, chap 1). This is an example of how they explains characters, they are explaining Matty. The novel says, "He hoped the blind man would forget he asked what something. He didn't want to tell." (Lowry, chap 1). Here is an example of of the story being lead into the conflict. This quote has some serious foreshadowing, too.

Character I could relate to!

The character I could relate the most to is Seer. This is because we worry about others but, we are also calm in certain situations. "You must bring her here before that happens."(Lowry, chap 10). This shows how much he cares about Kira, I would care about my friends and family like this, too. Both of us aren't very fond of candy either. Matty says to Seer, ""Sour-balls come in different colors, and each color is a flavor," he announced, "but I suppose that wouldn't interest you."" (Lowry, chap 3). When Matty is talking to Seer about the Gaming Machine and the candy it spits out, Seer doesn't find any interest in it, just like I would. We also have a similar like of music. He plays an instrument, as mentioned in chapter 1, and I play a bass clarinet. Although I have similarities with other characters, Seer is the one that is most like me.

Seer plays a stringed instrument!

Cultural Values

In the Messenger the culture values of Village are that flaws are valued and being given your "true" name. In the text it says, "But here in Village, marks and failing were not considered flaws at all. They were valued."  (Lowry, chap 1). This shows how Village believes that the flaws all of the inhabitants have are valuable in their own way. Also, the text says, "The schoolteacher, though his true name was Mentor, was sometimes affectionately called 'Rosy' by the children because of the crimson birthmark that spread across his face. Children loved him." (Lowry, chap 1).  Now, this shows how the flaws were appreciated by children and many people of the community.  The novel now says, "The blind man had been given the true name Seer and was respected for the special vision that he had behind is ruined eyes." (Lowry, chap 1).  This quote shows how people of Village are given their "true" name, which is based off of their abilities. All of these quotes are notable in the novel since they show what type of community Village is. They also show how Village starts off as a perfect community that helps and cares for everyone. 

Different POV?

If the Messenger had a different point of view from Matty's then the whole plot-line could change. For example, if it was from Seer's point of view, we would have known what he was thinking at times and why he said that Forest was an illusion. We also might have known a lot more early on in the story since Seer has a "special vision behind his ruined eyes" (Lowry, chap 1). Another example could be if the story was told from a 1st person point of view. Instead of having a more omniscient POV, we would only know what Matty is thinking and experiencing. This is very different because  in the omniscient view, where it shows Leader using his gift to look beyond. It foreshadows when it said, "He was very worried himself. He had not told the blind man. But while he had watched Matty, Kira and the puppy enter Forest, he had been able to see, too, that Forest was shifting, moving, thickening, and preparing to destroy them." (Lowry, chap 15). The meaning of the story could also change by having different themes being conveyed with different characters and points of  view. Over-all, the plot and meaning of this novel could change if the perspective/point of view is changed. 

This would be an example of a different POV!

Major Setting Changes

The two major settings in Messenger were Village and Forest. In Forest, it twists itself to reflect the new personalities of the villagers. When Village was a kind place, the Forest only sent warnings to the people, which they listened to as signs on not going back in. But, when Village turned into a dark place, Forest turned into a horrible place. You know this because the novel says, "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). Now, Village was once a haven for lost and "broken" people. The villagers made it a loving and caring place, before the Trade Mart came. People were assigned names like "Seer" and "Mentor" when they were of age. Sadly, it turned into a greedy place that was full of hate. Only at the end of the novel, was when it was restored.

Theme 2# Greed can Cause Hatred and Intolerance

In the Messenger by Lois Lowry one of the themes is that greed can cause hatred and intolerance. This means that people are hating certain things and are not willing to listen to others. In chapter five of the Messenger it says that, "There were trades for things you didn't see. Those were the most dangerous trades." (Lowry, chap. 5). This notes that trading is an evil thing happening among the villagers. It is also changing them to be quarrelsome individuals that don't really care about other people's feelings. Then, the text says that Mentor lead a group of protesters to close the Village, "... a small group of people Matty recognized- with Mentor leading them- came forward , chanting, "Close. Close. No more. No more."..." (Lowry, chap. 6). This is an example of the way the villagers are now starting to act after getting what they wanted at the Trade Mart. It has also started to affect other villagers badly. Greed has clearly taken over them, and has changed their personalities completely.  Over all, greed can cause hatred and intolerance is a theme of the Messenger. 

Theme 1# Some Things are to Good to be True

In the Messenger by Lois Lowry the second theme is that some things are to good to be true. In the book, the Village is a kind place that takes in lost and "broken" people. These people have traveled from many places to get to the Village for safety and peace. The text says,"... in Village marks and failings were not considered flaws at all. They were valued." ( Lowry, chap. 1). A few chapters later things in the novel change. Matty is talking with Leader when things are revealed. Now the text says, "There had been a petition-signed by a substantial number of people- to close Village to outsiders." (Lowry, chap. 4) In this part of the story there is a plot twist, Village will no longer accept anymore people. A petition signed by the selfish people of Village has closed it's borders to everyone. This supports the theme that some things are to good to be true. 

Often, people that came to Village were sick, "broken", lost, etc.

Mood

In my opinion, the mood is like a feeling of sorrow, suspense and satisfaction in the Messenger. In the text it says, "Matty groaned and pressed his hands harder into the ground. All of his strength and blood and breath were entering the earth now. His brain and spirit became part of the earth." (Lowry, chap 21). This quote implies Matty's death in chapter 21. When this event, the story conveys some sorrow. "There were trades for things you didn't see. Those were the most dangerous trades." (Lowry, chap. 5). Now, this quote is about the Trade Mart. With this quote including the mysterious Trade Mart, it conveys a clear feeling of suspense, because you don't know whats going to happen next. Finally, 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. Now it was unfolding, like a flower coming into bloom, radiant with possibility." (Lowry, chapter 21). This quote shows a feeling a satisfaction because, it shows Village and Forest being returned to wonderful places, and not continuing their awful ways. In conclusion, Messenger had moods of suspense, sorrow, and satisfactory.

Forest was compared to a flower!

Tone

In Messenger, the tone of the novel is suspense, and interest. In the text it says, " ... the agony in his arms and hands.." (Lowry, chap 21). This shows the tone of suspense. It shows it because you don't know what will happen to Matty next. With him hurt there are multiple things that could happen, only one of them will be his fate. The next quote says, "... Did you see a young man with blue eyes? About your age? We call him Leader." (Lowry, chap 14). This quote shows the tone of interest. This is by having the author mention things about the characters that are still at Village. Also how the character's used their gifts t help save their communities. Over all, the tone of Messenger by Lois Lowry is suspense and interest.

This is Leader, or Jonas from The Giver!

Significant Event #2

During Chapter 5...

....I needed the girl to be gone. "I want you to go to the Herbalist's. Get yarrow." I said. "I have yarrow in my own garden! Right beside the door!" Jean replied.
    I didn't need yarrow, not really. I needed her gone. I had to think quickly. "Spearmint? Lemon balm? Catnip? Do you have all of those?"
    She shook her head. "No catnip. If cats were attracted to my garden, the dog would make a terrible fuss.
    "Wouldn't you you poor thing?" She said sweetly, leaning down to murmur to the dying mother dog. She stroked the dogs back but it did not lift its head. I saw that its eyes were beginning to glaze.
    "Go," I told her in my most urgent voice. "Get those things."
     "Do you think they'll help?" Jean asked dubiously. She took her hand from the dog and stood, but she lingered.
      "Just go!" I ordered.
      "You needn't use a rude tone, Matty," Jean told me with an edge in her voice. But she turned with a flounce of her skirt and went. I barely heard the sound of the door closing behind her. Steeling myself against the painful vibrating shock that I knew would go through my entire body, I placed my left hand on the mother dog, my right hand on the puppy, and I willed them to live. 
A mother dog and her puppy!

Significant Event #1

Matty's Death in Chapter 21

It began with the tiniest sensation. It was different from the larger feels that still racked my body: the searing agony in my arms and hands, the almost unendurable ulceration of my parched mouth, the feverish pounding a my head.
   This was a whispered hint of power. I could feel it in the tips of my fingers, in the whorls and cervices of my outer skin. It moved across my hands as they laid motionless in the mud.
    Though I shivered from illness and anguish, I could sense my blood beginning to warm and flow. I laid still. In side me the thick dark liquid slide sinuously through my veins. I could feel it enter my heart and throbbed there, moving with purpose through my labyrinth of muscle, collecting energy that came faintly to it from my slowly collapsing lungs. I could feel it surge into my arteries. Within the blood itself I could perceive the separate cells, and see their colors in my consciousness, and the prisms of their molecules, and all of it was awake now, gathering power.
    I could feel my own nerves, each one, millions of them, taut with energy waiting to be released. The fibers of my muscles tightened.
    Gasping, I called for my gift to come. I had no sense on how to direct it. I simply clawed at the earth, feeling the power in my hands enter, pulsating, into this ruined world. I became aware, suddenly, that I had been chosen for this.....
The blood in Matty's veins!

About the POV

The point of view of Messenger, is a third person limited omniscient that focuses primarily on Matty's character. This is because the story is almost always centered around his experiences and some thoughts. It doesn't use personal pro-nouns either. It also has a point of view that sees and almost knows all, like an omniscient point of view. But, since not everything is included, it has a more limited point of view too. Thus deeming it a third person and limited omniscient point of view. Also, the story doesn't always focus on Matty. When Seer and Leader are meeting to check on Matty, it says, "...beside him the blind man waited. They had done this for several days." (Lowry, chap 15). This proves that the story switched to different characters sometimes, and told the audience what was happening to them. Overall, the point of view is a third person limited omniscient, that doesn't always focus on the main character.

Symbolism

In Messenger there is a good amount of symbolism included throughout the story. Here is a list of what some things symbolism in the novel.

Village- Our future society/a Utopian society. This is because it is described as a place where "marks and failings were not considered flaws at all. They were valued." ( Lowry, chap. 1).

Gaming Machine- Symbolizes things that the people in the village desire/ represents superficial pleasure.

Warnings- Represent the villagers slowly turning into greedy and selfish people.

Trade Mart- The origination of evil in the story.

Forest- Growing web of selfishness encasing the village/the illusion of fear.

Mentor’s Lightening Birthmark- Represents the physical manifestation of evil in the story.

The Building of the Wall- Represents the culmination of evil in the story.

Frolic- Represents the happiness/hope left at the end of the story.

The Frog- When Matty found out about his powers.

The Sled- The symbol of hope and courage for the village.

The Sewing Machine- Symbolizes more things that people in the village desire/ represents an easier lifestyle.

Solution

The result of the villagers greed and hatred is that Forest is attacking anyone that goes in it. This includes Kira and Matty, while they are heading back to village. It also includes Leader who is trying to get to them and help the two characters. Although, the solution comes into light and Matty saves the day. He uses his unique healing abilities to cure the ills of that fantasy world but, kills himself in the process. The novel says, "Matty groaned and pressed his hands harder into the ground. All of his strength and blood and breath were entering the earth now. His brain and spirit became part of the earth." (Lowry, chap 21). This implies that Matty is using his powers to heal Village, Forest and everyone else. Also that he is giving his life up in the process by saying that his "strength and blood and breath were entering the earth now.". Even though Matty dies in the end, the solution of the story is optimistic. Everyone is saved, and they can be happier now that they are out of the darkness.

In Forest, the trees have acid sap!

Major Conflict

In the Messenger, an the villagers are usually kind and gentle people. Although, an outside force is changing the villagers from their usual selves into quarrelsome and greedy people. So now, Forest, the area that separates other places from Village, becomes an twisted place that starts to ensnares people when they travel. This happened after the villagers visit something called Trade Mart and trade something unknown but, personal for what they desire. In chapter 10, it says, "Some of those who had been among the most industrious, the kindest, and the most stalwart citizens of Village now went to the platform and shouted their wish that the border be closed so that "we" would not have to share the resources anymore." (Lowry, chap. 10). This shows the changes that the villagers went through after trading. In chapter 11 it says, "..."Forest is thickening," Leader said when he could speak..." (Lowry, chap. 11). This shows what is happening to Forest now that it is being affected by the bad vibes of the villagers. Soon enough, Forest is almost completely affected by greed and it is an extremely dangerous place. But, the solution comes along just in time for the villagers.

A village!

Seer

Seer is a static and protagonist character. His real name is Christopher as mentioned from Gathering Blue, and he is a blind, old and wise man. He is Kira's father wants her to come to Village, which is mentioned in chapter 10. The text says, "You must bring her here before that happens."(Lowry, chap 10). In chapter 10, it is said that Seer is also like a father to Matty. It says, "'My boy came here six years ago as a child.""(Lowry, chap 10). This quote show how they are related, or their friendship. Seer also has an ability to see thing that are not seen by normal people. He contributes to the conflict by using his skills to find out some of the conflict. Even does this later on in the story, he senses the sudden change in the Village.

Seer can't see through his eyes!

Jean

Jean is a static and protagonist character. She is kind, caring, and flirtatious. This is shown the first chapter. It says, "...There's a girl that promised she'd kiss me if I had sweet breath." (Lowry, chap 1). Jean is also has curly hair that is mentioned in chapter 8. The novel says, "With her curly hair tumbling over her dirt streaked forehead..." (Lowry, chap 8). In the same chapter, Matty mentions the way she talks. It says, "And now she was talking to him in a way that was not foolish and childlike..." (Lowry, chap 8). This says that she has a more mature voice and doesn't sound like a child. Jean also contributes to the conflict by explaining that her father traded his "deepest self", which explains why some of Village is acting weird.

Jean has yarrow in her garden!

Kira

Kira is a side-character in the novel, she was also the main character of the previous novel, Gathering Blue. She cares about Matty and many others. She has long dark hair and has a garden for her plants. In the text it says, "She was wearing a blue dress and her long dark hair was tied back with a matching ribbon." (Lowry, chapter 13). As it says in the quote, Kira has long, dark hair and describes what her clothing is. Now the text says, "The gardens were larger than he remembered; since his last visit almost two years before, she had expanded them, he saw. Thick clumps of yellow and deep pink flowers fringed the edge of the small dwelling with it’s hand-hewn beams and thatched roof." (Lowry, chap 13). This proves that she likes to garden and she likes her plants, she takes care of them. She also has a crippled leg, which is said in Gathering Blue, ““He gestured toward her twisted leg. "Like you. Some don't walk good. Some be broken in other ways. Not all. But lots. Do you think it maken them quiet and nice, to be broken?”” (Lois Lowry, Gathering Blue). She is a static character and is a protagonist for the novel. She is in the conflict because she agrees to go back into Village and travel through the ominous Forest, so that she can meet her father before it is too late.

Mentor

Mentor is exactly what his name is, a mentor for the children of Village. Mentor is quiet and calm usually, he is a dynamic character and an antagonist in the novel, too. He also has a red birthmark on his face and it is mentioned when Matty is talking about him, “... was sometimes affectionately called 'Rosy' by the children because of the crimson birthmark that spread across his face." (Lowry, chapter 1). Also, later on in the novel Mentor goes to Trade Mart. This changes him after he trades his “deepest self” for the Stock-tender's widow, which is said in chapter 8, “... Jean began to cry softly. “Yes,” she said. “He has traded his deepest self.”... “For Stock-tender's widow,” she said, weeping…” (Lowry, chap 8). These quotes also show how Mentor is involved with the smaller conflicts in the story. Although, he was a nicer man. Then after he went to Trade Mart, he suddenly turned cruel. All the children used to love him, and he was a friend of everyone in Village. By the this end of the story, he is a friend again.

Matty

Matty is the main character of the Messenger and he is the protagonist and a static character. He is a young teenage boy who hasn’t fully gone through puberty. This is mentioned on the first page of the novel, "Matty was no longer a boy, bot not yet a man.” (Lowry, chapter 1). This shows that he is still growing into a teen/young adult. Also, Matty can be childish at times, “His face was becoming manly, he thought, though childishly he still enjoyed making scowls and frowns at his own reflection. His voice was deepening."(Lowry, chap 1). This shows that he is rather young, too. He is impatient, as it says in chapter 1 again, “Matty was impatient to have supper preparation over and done with.” (Lowry, chap 1). Matty is a big part of the conflict because he heals everything at the end of the novel, which is the solution to the conflict. He also looks around Mentor's house to see why he is acting selfish, which helps find out what the conflict is. He also goes to Trade Mart and explains what he saw to Seer.

Matty from Messenger!