How Does John Marsden Use Dramatic Techniques?

Throughout the text ‘So much to tell you” by John Marsden, the character of Marina is created using various techniques. Marina does not actually verbally speak until the end of the text, hence Marsden including other ways to portray and develop Marina’s character.One of the first ways Marina ‘speaks’ in the text is in her diary. She often writes in the diary, jotting down what happened during the day, what is on her mind and what she thinks is going to happen. We learn that Marina is envious of the girls she is staying with. She admires their clothes and possessions, wishing she had them as her own. In this way we learn that Marina is not as wealthy as the other girls, although as anyone would, she wishes she was.Spotted through the text are flashbacks of Marina’s past, showing what she loo ...view middle of the document...

Marina never verbally speaks to them, although she has many thoughts about them. Whenever they other girls talk to her, she does not respond in any way, rather she ‘ignores them’ or walks away. When the subject of acid or body disfigurements in general come up Marina is very uncomfortable, and leaves to be by herself. Marina’s actions show that she is a very shy character around other people, and chooses to be almost completely mute.Another important way of seeing Marina’s character is the way that the other girls talk to her, talk about her and what they think of her. They know that she will not respond to anything, they still talk to her, although most of the comments are critical or abusive. The girls see Marina as a very quite girl, as she is, that has had a tough past. They have all gone through difficulties before, but Marina deals with hers differently, and the girls realise that, but not agreeing that it is the best way to go through it. They accuse Marina of stealing items as quite a few things have been ‘misplaced’ when she arrived at the school. The teachers seem to be a little on edge when around Marina, they treat her differently, as to make sure they do not accidentally hurt her feelings. They way other people treat and act around Marina is a good way to create her character, as it reflects on how she portrays herself to the other characters.John Marsden, being the author of the text “So much to tell you”, developed all the characters, giving them different characteristics. But Marina’s character was developed through many different ways. Flashbacks of the past, diary entries, observing how others treat her, and how she acts herself are all vital elements in the production of her character. Marsden has developed Marina’s character using all these techniques and more in his play “So much to tell you”.Bibliography:So Much To Tell You by John Marsden