Contrast Essay
In the short text “The Ace of Diamonds Gang” by Owen Marshall, the author has used symbols to create contrast between the two symbols by creating fantasy, represented by the Ace of Diamonds. And the snap back to reality, represented by the Library card.
The Ace of Diamonds is introduced to the text as the regalia of the narrator’s gang. The Ace of Diamonds is stamped on their masks in oil paint to become their symbol of anonymity, intrigue and mystique. The gangues this mask when executing calamity on pre-designated targets. After each of their exploits they left their calling card, the Ace of Diamonds stamped on the “…backs of cut out Christmas cards.” in hope of increasing their notoriety. These boys compare themselves to “Heroes of history” such as The Black Hand, The Boxers and The League of Spartacus proving the fantasy of their actions. This shows that the boys thought of this gang like a brotherhood, alliance or clan. To the narrator and Bernie it was much more, it was “…an escape from being 13 years old in a provincial town.” displaying further the idea of fantasy. The gang saw themselves as strong, heroic and brave, this is shown by the military language used like “rendezvous”, “reconnoitre” and “formation” to show an efficient, intelligent military like organization. This is proven during the raid on Jorgessons yard. They describe the yard as a war ground with “a field hospital in a desperate war of machines “and “Dismembered machines” creating a sense of a battlefield where a military like organization would usually be found. The gangs’ emotions about themselves is that they fantasize that they are amazing, magnificent heroes. This is channelled through the Ace of Diamonds which in turn is supported by fantasy and childhood imagination.
The second symbol which is discovered in the text is the Library Card. This is discovered in Jorgessons yard after the gangs’ raid on his residence after their latest exploit. In opposition to the Ace of Diamonds card this card represents reality, identity and juvenility. The library card incorporates the downside to the gang member’s reality like “Ashley’s wind”, “Bernie’s glasses” and “Hec Green having to be in by nine o’clock”. The Library card becomes the downfall of this gang; it shows that the thoughts of strength, power and immortality were in fact exactly that, thoughts. The Library card also strips away the anonymity and mystique of the gangs’ identity by identifying the narrator as a law abiding citizen, normal human being and disappointingly a bookworm. It also finally brings the fantasy world of the narrator to a quick and unhesitant destruction, this world being the fantasy world of boyhood and free imagination. “…it was the end of free imagination and of boyhood perhaps.”
The symbols used in the short text “The Ace of Diamonds Gang” were the Ace of Diamonds and The narrator’s library card. These cards contradict each other. The Ace of Diamonds represented fantasy, anonymity and immortality. This is negated by the effects of the library card which are the reality of the gangs’ importance, the identity of the gang members and the mortality of each of the boys. These two symbols helped me develop understanding of the text.
The Ace of Diamonds is introduced to the text as the regalia of the narrator’s gang. The Ace of Diamonds is stamped on their masks in oil paint to become their symbol of anonymity, intrigue and mystique. The gangues this mask when executing calamity on pre-designated targets. After each of their exploits they left their calling card, the Ace of Diamonds stamped on the “…backs of cut out Christmas cards.” in hope of increasing their notoriety. These boys compare themselves to “Heroes of history” such as The Black Hand, The Boxers and The League of Spartacus proving the fantasy of their actions. This shows that the boys thought of this gang like a brotherhood, alliance or clan. To the narrator and Bernie it was much more, it was “…an escape from being 13 years old in a provincial town.” displaying further the idea of fantasy. The gang saw themselves as strong, heroic and brave, this is shown by the military language used like “rendezvous”, “reconnoitre” and “formation” to show an efficient, intelligent military like organization. This is proven during the raid on Jorgessons yard. They describe the yard as a war ground with “a field hospital in a desperate war of machines “and “Dismembered machines” creating a sense of a battlefield where a military like organization would usually be found. The gangs’ emotions about themselves is that they fantasize that they are amazing, magnificent heroes. This is channelled through the Ace of Diamonds which in turn is supported by fantasy and childhood imagination.
The second symbol which is discovered in the text is the Library Card. This is discovered in Jorgessons yard after the gangs’ raid on his residence after their latest exploit. In opposition to the Ace of Diamonds card this card represents reality, identity and juvenility. The library card incorporates the downside to the gang member’s reality like “Ashley’s wind”, “Bernie’s glasses” and “Hec Green having to be in by nine o’clock”. The Library card becomes the downfall of this gang; it shows that the thoughts of strength, power and immortality were in fact exactly that, thoughts. The Library card also strips away the anonymity and mystique of the gangs’ identity by identifying the narrator as a law abiding citizen, normal human being and disappointingly a bookworm. It also finally brings the fantasy world of the narrator to a quick and unhesitant destruction, this world being the fantasy world of boyhood and free imagination. “…it was the end of free imagination and of boyhood perhaps.”
The symbols used in the short text “The Ace of Diamonds Gang” were the Ace of Diamonds and The narrator’s library card. These cards contradict each other. The Ace of Diamonds represented fantasy, anonymity and immortality. This is negated by the effects of the library card which are the reality of the gangs’ importance, the identity of the gang members and the mortality of each of the boys. These two symbols helped me develop understanding of the text.
