Francis Flashcards
(75 cards)
Establishes the Setting; introduces narrator in first person; Surprising statement creates mystery (First Line)
My name is Francis Joseph Cassavant and I have just returned to Frenchtown in Monument and the war is over and I have no face
Conversational style of address; creates close bond between reader and narrator; Description of Francis’s physical injuries - described in a matter of fact way, Creates sympathy in the reader - but does Francis expect this, Makes the reader wonder why he looks like this
Oh, I have eyes… but no ears to speak of, just bits of dangling flesh. But that’s fine, like Dr Abrams says… He was joking, of course
Francis has low self-esteem and lacks confidence; Presented as single-sentence paragraphs to draw attention to them
“But not having much success”
“I don’t blame them”
Why is Francis trying to hide?
Creates Mystery
Francis believes he is ugly
This was proof that the scarf and the bandage were working in two ways: not only to hide the ugliness of what used to be my face, but to hide my identity
Why does Francis want to be anonymous?
Contrasts with the opening sentence
“At that moment, I knew that I was really anonymous, that I wasn’t Francis Joseph Cassavant anymore but a tenant in Frenchtown.”
What is Francis’s Mission?
Why does he have a gun?
Creates Mystery and suspense
Chapter 1
“I was home again in Frenchtown. I thought of the gun hidden away in my duffel bag and knew that my mission was about to begin.”
In Chapter one Francis briefly mentions his dead father and mother and younger brother. This is one of the few times they are mentioned in the novel. Why doesn’t Francis talk about them more often? (Answer is NOT a quote!)
He wants to forget the past
Chapter One
Francis frequently feels guilt and shame
This section emphasises his religious feelings
Statement creates dramatic tension
“Then I am filled with guilt and shame, knowing that I just prayed for the man I am going to kill”
Chapter One
First reference to being a hero in the novel
The reader wonders why Francis has been awarded the Silver Star
“‘You’re a big hero’ he said. ‘A Silver Star hero.’”
Chapter one
Francis has low self-esteem
Why doesn’t he believe he is a hero
Why does he say “of course”?
“I am not a hero, of course, and I turn away in disgust”
Chapter Three
This is a simile
It is an effective image to begin this chapter as it reminds us of Francis’s mission
“I feel like a spy in disguise as I walk the streets of Frenchtown.”
Chapter 3
Francis refers to classic American Literature
This is the first mention of his interest in reading and writing
Suggests an autobiographical link with Cormier
“The Great Gatsby which I’d hear was a great novel… We drank vin rouge like the heroes in a Hemingway novel.”
Chapter 3
What questions does Francis explaining the army at fifteen make you ask
NOT a quote!
- why did he enlist?
- why wasn’t he missed?
- how did he feel about this?
Chapter 3
Suggests that Francis has given up hope
Doesn’t reveal why he has no appetite
“I can keep going on minimum of food because I lost my appetite somewhere in France and eat now only to sustain myself for a while.”
In Chapter 3 Francis dreams about the war in France what does this tell you?
NOT a quote
- This suggests Cormier’s attitude to war and what is expected of soldiers.
- It contrasts with the romantic and heroic descriptions we might expect
- It is a dramatic and horrifying description
Chapter 3
Francis repeats the idea that he wasn’t heroic or brave.
“Not like the war movies at the Plymouth, nobody displaying heroics or bravado.”
Chapter 3
Francis explains that his dream is more graphic than reality
He creates a link between himself and the German Soldiers
“I explode into wakefulness… my bursts of gunfire killed the soldiers quickly, no exploding head, no body cut in two… I saw how young they were, boys with apple cheeks, too young to shave. Like me.”
Chapter 3
We finally find out what happened to Francis, however he never tells us this part of the story - we only find out from others later on.
Made dramatic by being a single sentence paragraph in simple language.
“The next day, the grenade blows my face away.”
Chapter 3
Francis is being ironic.
He has no pity for himself.
He is committed to carrying out his mission.
“Ignore it all, I tell myself, and count your blessings.”
Chapter 4
Francis used to have a romantic idea about war.
Later, he learns that they weren’t heroes they “were only there”.
“I wanted to be like them, these heroes, fighting the Japs and the Germans, going off to battles on land and sea.”
Chapter 4
Again, Francis says that he is not a hero.
He compares himself with everybody else for a negative effect.
Francis feels that he doesn’t belong here.
“I am not the hero he thinks I am, not like the other veterans here in the St Jude’s Club.”
Chapter 5
The first description of the Wreck Centre suggests the tragedy that will take place there.
The words are highlighted by being in single-sentence paragraphs.
“It’s a bad luck place, people had said.
A place of doom, others added.”
Chapter 5
The Wreck Centre was part of the ‘New Deal’ programme during the Depression.
Unemployed people were paid by the Government to work on projects like this.
“The men worked frantically… but the work was haphazard.”
Chapter 5
First description of Larry LaSalle.
Emphasises his good looks.
Francis clearly admires him.
“A tall slim man stepped into view, a lock of blonde hair tumbling over his forehead, a smile that revealed dazzling movie-star teeth.”
