By Robert Cormier (A+) Essay, Research Paper
I am the Cheese
By Robert Cormier
I am the Cheese is a compelling and unconventional novel. The novel’s major strengths include the uses of a powerful theme, an intriguing title, and sophisticated writing techniques. It has three levels of narration that are interdependent, and yet keep the reader in a permanent state of confusion. Robert Cormier manages to create a puzzling, disturbing atmosphere for the most part of the novel, which fits in well with the theme of the book. He effectively reveals the theme, which is a revelation about the lies in our depraved society, with the use of manipulation and complex writing techniques. The title of the novel is also a extension of the book’s message, which contributes to the intensity of the story.
In I am the Cheese, the main theme of the story deals with a weak, individual teenager facing the Establishment, and confronting the evil and lies which exists in our society. It is a story about the fight of the individual against a system where the lines between friend and enemy are blurred. An illustration of this would be Adam’s acquaintance with Mr. Grey and Brint. The reader cannot clearly label these mysterious people as good or bad. Although Adam and his family are under their total control, not much is known about who these people are, and what are their real motives. This novel exposes the fact that we are surrounded by secrets and lies, and because there are so many layers of reality, we are never sure what is the ultimate truth. A situation which describes this arises when Adam’s father changes his identity after discovering a conspiracy, and keeps this secret away from Adam to protect him. The outstanding theme of I Am The Cheese is slowly revealed through the puzzling story of a bicycle ride, the interview tapes, and particularly in the last pages in the book. The author’s purpose is to get inside each individual reader and force them to form their own opinions on good, evil, and what is right or wrong. The reader would surely come away from this book with questions about our world, how we live in it, and deliberations on how corrupt it really is.
The theme of the novel reveals that in this case, it is not a question of good against evil, but simply that the “cheese stands alone.”Adam is the lone individual against the power of the government and the criminal syndicates, which makes the title of this book is an forceful one, because it recapitulates the theme of the novel. The song “The Farmer in the Dell,” which contains the lyrics from the title, is a meaningful song for Adam, who often reminisces about his father. ” It’s our song,’ he says. I can remember how he’d pick me up when I was just a kid and swing me almost to the ceiling, singing…”(P29) The title of this novel, I am the Cheese, is associated intriguingly to the complex story. The verses of the song are a series of links, and in the same way, Adam is the last in a series of links from organized crime, to the corrupted government, to a low form of existence. Adam has been drugged and is under the complete power, both emotionally and physically, of Brint and the mysterious institution which has the ability to decide his fate. When he is in such a despondent position, what does he really have left to lose? Even Adam can accept his predestined doom: “I know, who I am, who I will always be. I am the cheese.” (P217)
The perplexing title of this book is an extension of the mood in this novel, which is somewhat ambivalent, due to the shifts from a perpetuating bike ride, to confusing, personal flashbacks and stoical interviews with Brint. The readers would feel uneasy as they follow Adam on his bike ride and the interview tapes, as if some things did not seem right in the plot. By the time we reach the climax and the denouement, where we learn the fate of Adam and his parents, a darkest and most sinister atmosphere is communicated through Adam’s tragic memories, such as the death of his mother. “She stared at him with startled eyes but she was not really staring at him because Adam knew the eyes were sightless, vacant. She was dead, irrevocably dead, the knowledge irrefutable as he lay on the pavement now….”(P207) As the example displays, this is a frightening novel which makes the reader as afraid to go forward as the protagonist is. The ending is a strong facet of the novel, as it leaves the reader disturbed and breathless. The truth which lies underneath is not expected and certainly not a usual ending in a novel.
To create such an intense atmosphere in I am the Cheese, the author used a variety of writing techniques. These fascinating and extremely sophisticated methods assist the novel in manoeuvring the readers, and disintegrating the distinction between reality and hallucination. An instance of this occurs in the denouement of the novel. The reader learns that the bike ride had just been a figment of Adam’s imagination, interlaced with impressions from the real people around him. In an effective and unique technique, the writer throws a blinding shadow on an entire book with the last interview transcription. Suddenly, the most inconsequential clues come together, and reveal the secrets that are hidden underneath. The story is full of blank spaces which provide hidden meanings that come together like a jigsaw puzzle at the end. Uncertainties such as why Adam is unable to contact Amy, or what Adam is carrying to his father on his adventure, are all neatly resolved. The author’s writing techniques, which include flashbacks, give way for alternative turns and endings to I am the Cheese. The conclusion could have been completely different, but this particular one is powerful since it is unbelievably lifelike and horrifying.
In conclusion, I am the Cheese is a powerful, unique novel which deals with the morbid realities of life. It provides the reader with ideas to contemplate about our society, the facts which are kept from us, and the individual struggle against the Establishment. The elements which make up this impressive story include a prominent theme and title, the use of captivating techniques, and a complex mood. Robert Cormier has accomplished a stunning, memorable novel, and subsequent reading will fascinate the reader with new insight hidden between the lines.
Другие работы по теме:
Meals
Автор: Разное We generally have lunch about one o'clock. The business man in London usually finds it impossible to come home for lunch, and so he goes to a cafe or a restaurant; but if I am making lunch at home I have cold meat (left over probably from yesterday's dinner), potatoes, salad and pickles, with a pudding or fruit to follow.
Analyzing Curse Of The Starving Class Essay
, Research Paper In class we learned about a man named Goethe. He developed a way to critique any category of art, whether it be a poem, oil painting, or a play. According to the World Book Encyclopedia, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was a German poet, novelist, and playwright. He ranks among the most important and influential writers of modern European literature.
Investigation Of Nutrients Essay Research Paper October
Investigation Of Nutrients Essay, Research Paper October 14, 1998 Lab report INVESTIGATION 5: NUTRIENTS IN FOODS This experiment has to do with foods and their nutrients. We are finding out how much nutrients these 6 specific foods have and don’t have: cheese, hotdogs, egg yolk, egg white and potato. We are testing them for starch, sugar, fat and protein.
The Argument Culture Essay Research Paper In
The Argument Culture Essay, Research Paper In The Argument Culture, Deborah Tannen describes our adversarial society in debates and dialogues. Tannen discusses our culture?s style of seeing issues, questions, and conflicts as having two sides that battle each other for one goal, victory. She says that not only does this argument culture or culture of critique we live in make life more challenging and alienating, it also reduces the amount of information made available to viewers or information seekers.
Critique Of Recitatif Essay Research Paper Critique
Critique Of Recitatif Essay, Research Paper Critique of Recitatif Sometimes, the mere fact of being from a different race can influence people’s way of thinking or attitude toward other people with different color skin. That is the theme of Toni Morrison’s short story Recitatif. In the story, two eight year old girls, Roberta and Twyla, from different races (black and white) meet in an orphanage called St.
What I Want To Most Accomplish Essay
, Research Paper There are many things in life I would like to accomplish. Most of all though, I aspire to be the world’s fattest man. This will allow me to complete my plans of world domination. To obtain this goal, I plan to begin a strict diet of Denny’s smothered cheese fries (french fires covered with cheese and bacon) and gravy after I complete high school.
Art Critique Essay Research Paper The first
Art Critique Essay, Research Paper The first artwork that I had had looked at was Radio Tori, a ceramic arch built by Peter King. It was my first time inside the WUWF radio station building. I found the building to be quite beautiful. The architecture was well done outside the building. Inside, there were various artworks inside the hallway.
Movie Arsenic And Old Lace Essay Research
Paper Movie: Arsenic and Old Lace The movie Arsenic & Old Lace is based on the play about a movie critique who’s two aunts , choose to put lonely men out of there reason by
Rimbaud Essay Research Paper Part II
Rimbaud Essay, Research Paper Part II A man so confused and confusing as Arthur Rimbaud, it is a wonder that he can even be analyzed, critiqued, and judged by his literary works. Never the less it has been done, however how accurate can they be, when even Rimbaud said in his Lettre Du Voyant that for the I is someone else.
The Gilded Six Bits Critique Essay Research
Paper The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920 s and early 1930 s was a period of immense African American literary and intellectual activity, centered in Harlem, New York City. During this time many writers emerged, among them Zora Neale Hurston and Richard Wright. Respectively their works The Gilded Six-Bits and Almos A Man are literary reminders of the early South.
Cheese Essay Research Paper No matter how
Cheese Essay, Research Paper No matter how far archaeological finds go, there is evidence that cheese came into being in prehistoric times. Cheese can not really be said to have been “invented”. This delicious food must have resulted from the simple observation that milk left in a container ends up by coagulating, even more if it is hot.
Mother Courage The Hole In The Cheese
Essay, Research Paper Mother Courage contains a quote that pulls the entire play together so innocuously; it’s hard to believe that Brecht originally intended it to be so symbolic. Yet, there it is, in scene six, the chaplain rhetorically asks, “What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?” This line operates on the three essential layers of the play: the level of the character, of the playwright (plot), and of the audience.
Mudi And Company Essay Research Paper Keemato
Mudi And Company Essay, Research Paper Keema to make qeemae wali spaghetti, first you take a little oil and put crushed garlic and ginger in it and fry a little. then put qeema it and put salt and mirchi in it. cook it without any water,
The Romantic Elements Of The Adventures Of
Huckleberry Finn Essay, Research Paper The Romantic Elements of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Samuel Clemens was a talented author who used several literary elements throughout his works. Clemens novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was written as a critique of southern romanticism. Clemens despised romantic literature.
Wuthering HeightsBronte Essay Research Paper Critique Wuthering
Wuthering Heights-Bronte Essay, Research Paper Critique- Wuthering Hieghts Wuthering Hieghts is the prototype of all the gothic novels. It contains all the literary elements such as, symbolism, supernatural, and the dark solemn mood classic to all gothic novels. Although the book was well written and rich with literary devices, it did not retain my attention.
Lucy Essay Research Paper The behaviorist approach
Lucy Essay, Research Paper The behaviorist approach leads us to believe that personality consists of all of an individuals behaviors. According to Skinner all behavior is determined by contingencys of reinforcment, based on the type and frequency of the reinforcment. If this is true, then we are more apt to repeat behaviors that are rewarded and less apt to repeat punished behaviors.
Odes Of Keats And Shelley Essay Research
Paper J.A. Cuddon, writing in The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Theory and Literary Terms, defines an ode as "a lyric poem, usually of some length . . . [which]
The Adventures Of Huckelberry Finn
– Critique Essay, Research Paper Critical Biography Mark Twain, the pseudonym of Samuel Clemens, was, as a literary writer, a genius. His use of numerous literary devices throughout the novel are quite unique. Examples of them would be, irony;
Marketing Of Ag Products Essay Research Paper
After being left with 2 million dollars from my long lost great aunt, I was provided with the capital necessary to begin to develop and market my own product. Having been raised on a small dairy farm in western New York, the only logical product to me was one having to do with the dairy industry. In an attempt to make my product unique, I have decided to target the organic foods market.
The Atanomy Of Essay Research Paper With
The Atanomy Of Essay, Research Paper With the game comes a little handy recipie book which contains the lists of ingredients and amounts of each for every type of pizza. Not only is it important to get the right amounts, but the overall form of the pizza (the way the pizza looks visually) is important. Try to arrange your ingredients with symmetry and in nice patterns.
Critique Of Nevins Thesis Essay Research Paper
Tejas Dalal 10/25/95 Critique of Nevins Thesis Nevins thesis about the portrayal of the glorious and terrible sides of the Civil War is excellent. Nevins does an excellent job in proving that war is terrible, rather than the glorious way it is often looked at. Nevins accomplishes his goal by writing a thesis that emphasizes the terrible side of war, but does not ignore the glorious side of war.
Watership Down 2 Essay Research Paper Watership
Watership Down 2 Essay, Research Paper Watership Down as Good Literature Watership Down, by Richard Adams, is considered good literature because of the literary techniques and because of the plot. Several literary techniques are used to pull the reader in and the plot is a well constructed to hold their attention.
Geographical Knowledge Essay Research Paper
Not overly impressive knowledge ? many geographical books came to aid literary understanding. ? Map most important for officials to conceptualise land on their borders etc.? Theodosius II orders map of the world. ?
How To Make A Pizza Essay Research
Paper How To Make A Pizza I understand that you are one of our new employees and I am suppose to teach you how we make our pizza. The first thing that you do is take one of our screens from the shelf and a dough ball
Op Essay Research Paper Article Critique
Op Essay, Research Paper Article Critique ? New Hotel Project The article talks about the possibilities of making ?One card, For Many Doors?. They are trying to make a room key with an internal credit card. Using a new system guests will be able to check in and issue a room key (double encoded) using their own credit card.
Dietary Guidelines For Americans Essay Research Paper
The 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Eat a variety of foods. I’m really bad in this area. I usually eat the same things every day. I eat sandwiches for lunch and pizza for dinner. I need to implement a variety of foods into my diet.
The Graduate Essay Research Paper Veronica CombsThis
The Graduate Essay, Research Paper Veronica Combs This paper will be both a critique as well as an analysis of the relationships between both my generation and the time period in which the movie took place. In the critique, I which to look at the movie score and the dependency that I felt Ben and Katherine had for each other.
Advertising Critique Essay Research Paper The first
Advertising Critique Essay, Research Paper The first of the three ads that I have selected is from The New Yorker magazine. It is an ad for Russell Athletic. This is a company that makes sports wear. In the ad, you see a man wearing their product. The man is vigorously working out and is in good shape. The outfit from Russell Athletic is supposed to perform, according to the caption on the left.
Mans Inhumanity To Man Essay Research Paper
Mans Inhumanity to Man Miss Cambell lived alone in her pokey one-bedroomed appartment on the bottom of 23rd Street. She was an introvert and always had been. She never went out after work and her life seemed to be one long routine. One thing that Miss Cambell loved to do was plan dinner parties. She would make up imaginery invitation lists, construct a lavish menu and prepare a concise shopping list to go with the menu.
Demonstration Critique Essay Research Paper Demonstration Critique
Demonstration Critique Essay, Research Paper Demonstration Critique During my demonstration speech, I was affected by my speech anxiety. Some of the viewable symptoms were the shaking of my hands and also the stuttering of speech. I was able to control myself and relax after I started getting into my information.
Take A Bite Of Wisconsin Essay Research
Paper Take a Bite of Wisconsin Since the early 19th century, Wisconsin has been known for cheesemaking excellence. Wisconsin’s high quality milk is the secret ingredient used to put the quality of cheeses above all
Critique Essay Research Paper This critique is
Critique Essay, Research Paper This critique is divided into three sections: structure, content, and positive attributes. On the basis of structure the essay is not of high caliber. This is primarily because the thoughts within each paragraph did not correlate to the topic sentence. Within each subtopic the paragraphs supports were also separated and organized poorly.
Robert Frost Critique Essay Research Paper Choices
Robert Frost Critique Essay, Research Paper Choices are never easy- men face multitudes of them in their lifetime. Some decisions to these choices are clear while others are sometimes more difficult to effectuate. The poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is a first person narrative tale of a monumental moment in the speaker s life- Frost can be considered the speaker.