Theme and Author's Purpose
Its true, this book was as great as everyone said it was! It was humorous, interesting, well-written, and overall, just fantastic! It also relays the good message of perseverance. When asking about the theme of this spectacular piece of text, the main one would have to be perseverance.
Throughout this book, and throughout all of the hardships that Wade and his friends face, they never give up the quest for the egg. One line that will I will remember is on p. 166, "Then I made a silent vow not to go outside again until I had completed my quest." While that seems a bit extreme, it shows Wade's devotion. And he doesn't just want to find the egg for the fame, but so he can have a better life which is incredibly admirable. Wade never gave up, and in the end...
I don't want to spoil exactly what happens, as you should give it a read yourself! Cline created this mystical piece of fiction for the purpose of entertaining and inspiring, and he couldn't have done a better job! If you are into sci-fi, or just love geeky stuff involving video games or 80's pop culture, PLEASE give Ready Player One by Ernest Cline a read!
Thank you for reading my blog! Live long and prosper.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Structure and Point of View
Structure and Point of View
As previously mentioned, this entire story is told from Wade's POV. This shows the reader a bit of a bias when it comes to the ideas presented in the story. It's told in first person, but from a future perspective. It's Wade reflecting back on his life during the hunt and how his life has changed because of it, providing a flash-backy, chronological structure.
As I said, Wade's narration gives us his view on the story, as well as his ideas. On page 103, he is delving deeper into Halliday's past and his ideas, all while sharing with the reader's Wade's own ideas, " Looking around, I wondered why Halliday, who had claimed to have had a miserable childhood, had later become so nostalgic for it. I knew that if and when I finally escape the stacks, I'd never look back. And I definitely wouldn't create a detailed simulation of the place."
While this type of narration does show a direct bias, it is still reliable for the purposes of this story. This story is Wade's story, so why shouldn't it be told from his perspective? Just imagine if it was in a different perspective.We wouldn't be getting the same story. It'd be similar, sure, but it wouldn't be this story. It would also probably lack in the amount of detail. These are Wade's experiences and if it wasn't told from his perspective, we wouldn't be getting to see through his eyes, or feel that somewhat personal connection with the text.
And the connection is what is really dragging me into the text!! I personally don't think that I would like it as much if it was any different.
As previously mentioned, this entire story is told from Wade's POV. This shows the reader a bit of a bias when it comes to the ideas presented in the story. It's told in first person, but from a future perspective. It's Wade reflecting back on his life during the hunt and how his life has changed because of it, providing a flash-backy, chronological structure.
As I said, Wade's narration gives us his view on the story, as well as his ideas. On page 103, he is delving deeper into Halliday's past and his ideas, all while sharing with the reader's Wade's own ideas, " Looking around, I wondered why Halliday, who had claimed to have had a miserable childhood, had later become so nostalgic for it. I knew that if and when I finally escape the stacks, I'd never look back. And I definitely wouldn't create a detailed simulation of the place."
While this type of narration does show a direct bias, it is still reliable for the purposes of this story. This story is Wade's story, so why shouldn't it be told from his perspective? Just imagine if it was in a different perspective.We wouldn't be getting the same story. It'd be similar, sure, but it wouldn't be this story. It would also probably lack in the amount of detail. These are Wade's experiences and if it wasn't told from his perspective, we wouldn't be getting to see through his eyes, or feel that somewhat personal connection with the text.
And the connection is what is really dragging me into the text!! I personally don't think that I would like it as much if it was any different.
Literary Devices
Literary Devices
Throughout their text, authors put to use literary devices in order to help the reader grasp a concept or idea in a more in-depth way. One of the qualities that Ready Player One is mostly regarded for is it's plethora of cultural references and allusions.
Seriously.
This book is riddled with allusions. There's a specific paragraph in particular where it's just allusions and references to other works or fictitious universes. This paragraph is found on page 49 and begins with "GSS had their own preexisting virtual worlds so content that had already been created like Everquest and World of Warcraft was ported over to the OASIS...Users could now teleport back and forth between their favorite fictional worlds. Middle Earth. Vulcan. Pern..." While initially, it may just seem like just a cool reference in order to appeal to readers, but it really is crucial to the plot. These cultural references alo help characterize James Halliday and Wade Watts as both of them are obsessed with geek culture and technology.
In fact, Halliday's egg hunt revolves around having the knowledge of all of these pop culture references and allusions. Throughout the book, Cline also explains a good portion of the references for the readers' benefit as well!
It may seem strange to put a allusion to Tolkein in your dystopian novel, but hey, it fits!
Throughout their text, authors put to use literary devices in order to help the reader grasp a concept or idea in a more in-depth way. One of the qualities that Ready Player One is mostly regarded for is it's plethora of cultural references and allusions.
Seriously.
This book is riddled with allusions. There's a specific paragraph in particular where it's just allusions and references to other works or fictitious universes. This paragraph is found on page 49 and begins with "GSS had their own preexisting virtual worlds so content that had already been created like Everquest and World of Warcraft was ported over to the OASIS...Users could now teleport back and forth between their favorite fictional worlds. Middle Earth. Vulcan. Pern..." While initially, it may just seem like just a cool reference in order to appeal to readers, but it really is crucial to the plot. These cultural references alo help characterize James Halliday and Wade Watts as both of them are obsessed with geek culture and technology.
In fact, Halliday's egg hunt revolves around having the knowledge of all of these pop culture references and allusions. Throughout the book, Cline also explains a good portion of the references for the readers' benefit as well!
It may seem strange to put a allusion to Tolkein in your dystopian novel, but hey, it fits!
Characterization
Characterization
Back again with another fun-filled update! One incredibly important part about a story are the characters, and Ready Player One has some very intriguing characters! One character being our hero, Wade Watts, an 18 year old, geeky, awkward, boy who is on the search for Halliday's "Easter Egg". But what makes Wade such an interesting character? As it was previously stated, he is geeky and awkward!
He even said it himself, "I was a painfully shy, awkward kid, with low self-esteem and no social skills." (pg. 19)
However, being this individual who looks so down upon himself, he also has a cynical side. As the entire novel is told from Wade's point of view, you can learn a lot about his character. From his satirical quips that he makes about reality and other people, you can easily tell of his discontent about life in general. OASIS is his sanctuary and the real world is his hell.
Another quote where he just initially states his dislike towards life is found on page 16, "For me, growing up as a human being on the planet Earth in the twenty-first century was a real kick in the teeth, Existentially speaking."
Wade may just seem like an ordinary teenager, but he has very strong viewpoints about the world around him. We'll have to see how his views affect the rest of the story!
Tone and Diction
Tone and Diction:
Hello, and welcome to my blog! When deciding on a book to read for this marking period I wanted to pick a book based off of my personal interests, one of these interests being video games! I had heard excellent things about Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and after receiving it in a monthly subscription box, I decided to give it a shot.
Even after reading the very first line, I was already immersed in the world that Cline had created for his readers. Also right off the bat, I could instantly feel the satire dripping from the words. Cline's writing style is very satirical and humorous, setting the sarcastic tone for the rest of the book.
Even this simple line "Being human totally sucks most of the time. Video games are the only things that make life bearable." (pg. 12) This line specifically comes from a line in the fictional "Anorak's Almanac" Which is James Haliday's "memoir", so to say. It shows that satirical tone, and that tone continues throughout the rest of the novel.
I'm already starting to adore this novel.
Even after reading the very first line, I was already immersed in the world that Cline had created for his readers. Also right off the bat, I could instantly feel the satire dripping from the words. Cline's writing style is very satirical and humorous, setting the sarcastic tone for the rest of the book.
Even this simple line "Being human totally sucks most of the time. Video games are the only things that make life bearable." (pg. 12) This line specifically comes from a line in the fictional "Anorak's Almanac" Which is James Haliday's "memoir", so to say. It shows that satirical tone, and that tone continues throughout the rest of the novel.
I'm already starting to adore this novel.
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