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Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 17 Apr 2018, 15:16
by Nelsy Mtsweni
Natalie's character was well developed, the author did a good work in that regard. With regards to the ending, I feel like it could have embodied her as someone who was matured enough to attend to her accountability.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 18 Apr 2018, 03:32
by Jamasenu
ReviewerDiksha wrote: ↑04 Apr 2018, 01:53
Throughout the book, we see Natalie going through various events that shape her personality. While for the most part, she was purely innocent and good; by the end, she was more in the grey area. Her stepfather's death scene was the one where I saw that part of her personality come out. And the last line of the book was, in particular, the strong indication of the person she had grown into. I have seen that certain tragedies and traumas slowly build around the personality of a person. Something similar seemed to happen with Natalie. As I mentioned in my review also, in the beginning, I had strong, good feelings for her. But by the end, I wasn't so sure. Something felt unsettling to me.
What do you think about that last line? What are your thoughts on Natalie's overall character arc? What do you think about Alex's death and the ending?
I think within all of the things that happened, she came full circle with her life, the way she is and the things she has done in order to reach the pinnacle of where she is now. I think the last sentence was her, "Who gives a darn," reaction to what others may think of her. The hatred that had built inside of her was too strong for her to overlook Alex's faults. The idle threats he made toward her family and the way he beat her so savagely would never stop for her and in her mind the only way to diminish a mean snake, is to put it out of its misery. The ending really didn't affect me except she's been seeing this man for over 30 years now and understands that she has relegated her life to just that.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 19 Apr 2018, 13:30
by Rosemary Wright
It's difficult to judge someone's character until you've worked in his or her shoes. Abuses can mar one's good personality. It can turn an angel into a demon and that's one of the reasons our societies fight against it.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 21 Apr 2018, 10:20
by Elizabeth Pass
I hated Natalie's development. The whole time I was hoping she would grow up and mature. Instead she gave into her base desires and never had to deal with any consequences. Instead of learning to be less violent, she learns that violence can solve her problems (like when she beat up the bully). Instead of learning that relationships are complicated, she learns that adultery is fine and people will inevitably accept it. Instead of learning that murder is wrong, she learns that it can solve all your problems.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 26 Apr 2018, 00:40
by holsam_87
ReviewerDiksha wrote: ↑04 Apr 2018, 01:53
Throughout the book, we see Natalie going through various events that shape her personality. While for the most part, she was purely innocent and good; by the end, she was more in the grey area. Her stepfather's death scene was the one where I saw that part of her personality come out. And the last line of the book was, in particular, the strong indication of the person she had grown into. I have seen that certain tragedies and traumas slowly build around the personality of a person. Something similar seemed to happen with Natalie. As I mentioned in my review also, in the beginning, I had strong, good feelings for her. But by the end, I wasn't so sure. Something felt unsettling to me.
What do you think about that last line? What are your thoughts on Natalie's overall character arc? What do you think about Alex's death and the ending?
I also felt like she was in the grey of things. Overall Natalie grew into a very strong individual that would protect everyone she loved. At the end, I had the inkling that something like that would happen. Mentally I cheered for her, after all, she could pass it off as an accident and be rid of someone bad. Morally, I felt like she made a bad decision but I can understand what she must have been feeling.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 29 Apr 2018, 07:48
by Alex Hughes
I think the biggest growth in Natalie is
her sexual awakening, and her discovery about her Family
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 01 May 2018, 13:53
by Cate Mbevi
What we are is as a result of our experiences and Natalie could not have become anything different.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 03 May 2018, 02:55
by Erick Bixen
zilizopita1998 wrote: ↑10 Apr 2018, 03:23
The author has developed Natalie into a likable character. I felt like identifying with her.
She has been developed strongly indeed. I equally liked it.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 14 May 2018, 16:03
by Sanju Lali
The author has described how the character naturally change over a period of time, depending upon the circumstances it come across
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 14 May 2018, 16:09
by Sanju Lali
It is appreciable that the author has shown the gradual change in attitude of Natalie as per her experience in life with growing up
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 20 May 2018, 18:49
by Nena_Morena
Throughout the book, I really admired Natalie's courage, strength, and determination. She never gave up and despite the abuse, she developed into a successful person. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed reading that she was Mr. Glover's lover for 30 years. I understand her passion for him at the age of 16, but she kept doing it knowing it was wrong. She betrayed the trust of a friend that was good to her and taught her how to paint. Her past abuse is not an excuse for doing something so wrong.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 21 May 2018, 21:40
by Roggyrus
Events in one's life contribute to the shaping of one's personality. It could not be denied that our experiences could break or make us. For one, a good positive achievement will bolster our self-confidence, whereas failure and defeat could drain away our trust on our capabilities and push us deeper into negativity. For anyone subjected to traumatic incidents, there is a chance that when cowardice prevails, such an individual may become a nervous wreck and leave everything to fate. On the other hand, when the individual gathers the resolve to seek justice, or to take up courage, to even the score, then the result will be a vindictive monster out to draw blood.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 26 May 2018, 07:09
by [Valerie Allen]
Of course the experiences within Natalie's life changed her character (perspective) toward evil as well as good.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 29 May 2018, 19:31
by 00LynnMarie
The way the scene played out with Natalie, Libby, and Alex I knew was coming. As they were approaching the bridge, I just knew. While I had hoped that the outcome would be different, I realized that in that same situation I can't say that I would have reacted differently. I don't know that I would have been able to live with myself if I had chosen as Natalie did. As for the triangle of Rosemary, Bruce, and Natalie, I have personally witnessed similar situations playing out that way in real life. It may be uncommon, but it does happen. People will talk probably, but Rosemary struck me as the type of person who marched to the beat of her own drummer.
Re: Natalie's Character Growth
Posted: 01 Jun 2018, 05:13
by Helpme71
I thought the last line was a little bit unsettling as well. It seems to me to be an allusion to her murder of Alex, whether she intended to kill him or not. I, too, sensed this shift in Natalie from innocent to morally grey, especially after Joey set fire to Sam Teagle's house and worried about going to hell for lying, to which Natalie replied, "There isn't a hell", which marked her departure from her Christian faith. Ultimately, though, I thought Alex's death was a necessary evil, especially because his impatience was what ultimately landed him in the water.