How Are Elements of Billy’s Identity Made Evident in the Book so Far?

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Barry Hines makes Billy’s identity evident throughout the book A Kestrel for a Knave. Billy contrasts the stereotype society has placed upon him, the reader learns that Billy is a young boy who gets caught in the beauty of the moment, sensitive and is extremely intelligent. However, he does not believe this about himself, he has no ambition or self-confidence and feels he is a victim of everyone’s misdirected anger. These elements of Billy’s identity are made apparent through the use of imagery, motifs, metaphors and juxtaposition. The reader gets an insight into the stereotype of Billy’s identity when reading about Mr Porter and doing his paper runs. The stereotype that all boys who live on the “estate” are thieves and not to be trusted is introduced when Mr Porter thinks Billy is stealing from him “’cos they’re all alike off that estate. They’ll take your breath if you’re not careful” the dialog of Mr Porter also shows how he considers Billy to be at the bottom of the social ladder this is shown in the change in dialect when a customer comes into the shop, calling him “sir” showing that Billy is seen as a boy who has no importance. The stereotype that Billy is a troublemaker is also shown when he is sent to Mr Gryce’s office where he was cained. On page 17 Barry Hines describes in great detail the bird trying to eat the worm through the perspective of Billy. Barry is trying to instate that Billy is a young boy who gets caught in the moment of everyday life “the worm still held, so the thrush stepped in and jerked at the slack. The worm ripped out of the ground and the thrush tan away with it, back under the shrubs” this is proved through the knowledge of the reader that Billy was meant to be in a rush because Jud stole his bike, making Billy walk his paper round instead of his usual riding the bike to make it faster. The reader also learns from reading

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