PT3 NOVEL - HOW I MET MYSELF

Synopsis

This story is about a man who met his doppelganger; a ghostly double of a living person.

John Taylor was an English computer programmer who worked in Budapest,Hungary, and lived there with his wife, Andrea, and daughter,Kati.He was walking home from work one day when he bumped into his doppelganger.John believed the doppelganger had come to give him a message.

John did some research and found that a man, with a name similar to his, had lived in that area many years ago along with a wife and daughter – whose names were also Andrea and Kati.The person's wife and daughter were killed in a tragedy.The timely warning from John's doppelganger saved John's wife and daughter from a similar fate.

 

Climax:-

A similar incident that had happened to the doppelganger and his family years ago occurred exactly on the same date. When John heard a very loud noise that sounded like an explosion, he realised that Andrea and Kati were at the same cafe where his doppelganger's wife and daughter were killed.He rushed over and saw that the place had been destroyed again.

 

 

Themes

Determination:-

When John first met his doppelganger, he was very afraid . He did not know whether what he had seen was real or he was imagining things.However,when John became convinced of the doppelganger's existence, he became determined and persevered to solve the mysteries of the doppelganger.

Even though Andrea did not support John and thought he needed to see a doctor, John did not give up. He knew his doppelganger had appeared for a reason and was trying to tell him something. He was focused and determined to do all he could to find out what the message was about.

Fear of the unknown :-

From the moment John first saw the doppelganger, his life changes and he lived in fear.He was afraid because he could not understand what was happening to him and his thoughts were constantly on the doppelganger.At work,his performance suffered as he forgot important things that he should have remembered. Furthermore, his fear took a turn for the worse when he started having nightmares about the doppelganger. He began to feel terrified and so did Andrea. This fear of the unknown caused a strain in their relationship and their marriage suffered.

Being open-minded

John was open-minded. This encouraged him to search and gather information from various sources to solve the mystery of his ghostly encounter with someone who looked like him.It was this attitude that forms the basis of the story.When John first met his doppelganger, he did not feel that it was just an illusion.His willingness to accept new ideas and information provided him with the knowledge that doppelgangers do exist and that they appear to forewarn people of danger.

Moral values

Persistance:-

We should always be persistent in our endeavours and not give up whenever we face obtacles. It is only with persistence that we can achieve what we want.

John was an extremely persistent person.No matter what obtacles stood in his way or what difficulties he faced in his marriage , he never gave up trying to find out more about his doppelganger. He did a lot of research and questioned several people to get the information he needed. In the end, his persistence paid off and he found out a lot about his doppelganger.

Family support and trust :-

It is very important that members in a family support and trust one another, especially in times of trouble.

If Andrea had supported and trusted John wholeheartedly, she would have co-operated with John and this might have prevented Andrea and Kati from getting into danger.

Thinking outside the box:-

A person must be able and willing to think beyond their usual ways and look at things from different perspectives.This would enable them to find answers or solutions.

John took every opportunity to question and find out why the doppelganger appeared.Finally, he managed to solve the mystery because he was willing to think outside the box.

PT3 POEM

                                                                     MR NOBODY

BY ANONYMOUS

I know a funny little man,

    As quiet as a mouse,

Who does the mischief that is done

    In everybody’s house!

There’s no one ever sees his face,

    And yet we all agree

That every plate we break was cracked

    By Mr. Nobody.

’Tis he who always tears out books,

    Who leaves the door ajar,

He pulls the buttons from our shirts,

    And scatters pins afar;

That squeaking door will always squeak,

    For prithee, don’t you see,

We leave the oiling to be done

    By Mr. Nobody.

He puts damp wood upon the fire,
That kettle cannot boil;
His are the feet that bring in mud,
And all the carpets soil.
The papers are always mislaid,
Who had them last but he?
There's no one tosses them about 
But Mr Nobody.

The finger marks upon the door

    By none of us are made;

We never leave the blinds unclosed,

    To let the curtains fade.

The ink we never spill;   the boots

    That lying round you see

Are not our boots,—they all belong

    To Mr. Nobody.

TYPE OF POEM

A poem on life.

SUBJECT

Behaving badly and not owning up.

TITLE

A suitable title because the purpose is to blame nobody. Nobody is a non-person so he is the best person to push the blame to.

SETTING

The poem is set in the house as the persona talks about the situation in the house. Things get broken, misplaced and thrown around by an unseen person. His behavior messes up the house.

PERSONA

It is the poet’s voice. The poet is also the persona. There is one voice but several character are involved – I, we, Mr. Nobody.

DEVICES

A limited rhyming pattern – only lines 2 and 4 of each stanza rhyme.

Similie : As quiet as a mouse.

Imagery : Images of mess - mud, carpets soiled, papers mislaid, finger marks upon the door, ink…spilled, boots lying around.

Metaphor : the door ajar is like saying Mr. Nobody moves in and out like a thief unseen. The squeaking door will always squeak  as though it is a mouse.

The uses of senses

·         See – mud, marks, curtains fade, books, door ajar

·         Hear – quiet, break, cracked, tears, squek

·         Touch – damp

LANGUAGE

Simple and direct. Every stanza ends with Mr. Nobody. Old expressions are used –  prithee. Double meaning is used to create humor such as Mr Nobody refers to a person and a non-person. Lying means not telling the truth or being found all over.  We can see contrast or irony no one ever sees his face…yet we all agree that he is the mischief maker. This is used to express sarcasm.

TONE

The topic is serious but the tone is casual.

THEME

·         Responsiblibility for one’s action. Very few people own up when they create a problem. They tend to put the blame on others.

·         Truth and honesty.

·         Respect for family members.

·         Cultivate a good habit.

MORAL VALUE

·         We must work together to look after the family home.

·         Have respect for other’s property.

·         Value and appreciate things at home

·         Practice discipline wherever and whenever necessary.

·         We must be tidy all the time.

·         Appreciate the person who has to clean up after us.