Name of SE Hinton's Writerly Technique: Using an unreliable narrator that makes the reader want to know more about the unexplained.
Explanation of the technique: SE Hinton makes Ponyboy an unreliable narrator. This makes us want to continue to read. She uses this technique so we have empty information about Johnny.
What makes this technique so genius: This gives the reader unidentified information that makes them want to continue reading to find the unknown. This is unique too because it makes the reader confused about what is going on so in order to understand it, they don’t stop reading to enrich their minds with the information.
Moment of Genius: “I fought, but the hand behind my back was strong and I had to hold my breath. I’m dying I thought, and wondered what was happening to Johnny (confused and worrying about drowning) I couldn't hold my breath any longer. I fought again desperately, but only sucked in water. I’m drowning I thought, they've gone too far (descriptive feelings of drowning)…A red haze filled my mind and I slowly relaxed. (back in the situation and confused)” (56)
In the quote, Ponyboy doesn’t know what is going on around him since he is being drowned. S.C Hinton describes how scared and worried he is. She also describes how drowning feels to him. Ponyboy suddenly stops getting drowned and is confused about what just happened to him.
How Can Writers Borrow This Technique:
Step 1: Re-read a part of your novel with a lot of action
Step 2- Take your first person narrator and make them unable to see what is going on around them
Step 3- Describe all the feelings of worry that the narrator is experiencing
Step 4- Bring your narrator back into the situation that he/she is in, feeling very confuse
BY: HARRIS HALPERIN AND OLIVIA BERKSON
Explanation of the technique: SE Hinton makes Ponyboy an unreliable narrator. This makes us want to continue to read. She uses this technique so we have empty information about Johnny.
What makes this technique so genius: This gives the reader unidentified information that makes them want to continue reading to find the unknown. This is unique too because it makes the reader confused about what is going on so in order to understand it, they don’t stop reading to enrich their minds with the information.
Moment of Genius: “I fought, but the hand behind my back was strong and I had to hold my breath. I’m dying I thought, and wondered what was happening to Johnny (confused and worrying about drowning) I couldn't hold my breath any longer. I fought again desperately, but only sucked in water. I’m drowning I thought, they've gone too far (descriptive feelings of drowning)…A red haze filled my mind and I slowly relaxed. (back in the situation and confused)” (56)
In the quote, Ponyboy doesn’t know what is going on around him since he is being drowned. S.C Hinton describes how scared and worried he is. She also describes how drowning feels to him. Ponyboy suddenly stops getting drowned and is confused about what just happened to him.
How Can Writers Borrow This Technique:
Step 1: Re-read a part of your novel with a lot of action
Step 2- Take your first person narrator and make them unable to see what is going on around them
Step 3- Describe all the feelings of worry that the narrator is experiencing
Step 4- Bring your narrator back into the situation that he/she is in, feeling very confuse
BY: HARRIS HALPERIN AND OLIVIA BERKSON