Tahir, S. (n.d.). An ember in the ashes: A novel.
pgs 1-60
Which character's storyline is the best?
Argument:I will argue that of the two different story-lines, Elias' is more interesting and better told than Laia's (so far).
Claim 1: Elias' timeline has better writing
Evidence: The scene where Elias (and reader) meet the leader of the Martials/Masks, the description of the courtyard and how "it was so quiet that you could hear a teardrop fall"
Warrant: Betting writing draws people in and more effectively illustrates the narrative
Claim 2: Elias has (thus far) been characterized better and more thoroughly than Laia.
Evidence: Because the opening chapters for Elias has dealt mostly within his castle walls, and mundane duties, the reader has had more time inside of Elias' head because of her secure location and not needing to run and scramble around the city like Laia.
Warrant: Better/More characterization give readers more insight into the characters views, world, and emotions, therefore creating a stronger attachment with the reader
Claim 1: Elias' timeline has better writing
Evidence: The scene where Elias (and reader) meet the leader of the Martials/Masks, the description of the courtyard and how "it was so quiet that you could hear a teardrop fall"
Warrant: Betting writing draws people in and more effectively illustrates the narrative
Claim 2: Elias has (thus far) been characterized better and more thoroughly than Laia.
Evidence: Because the opening chapters for Elias has dealt mostly within his castle walls, and mundane duties, the reader has had more time inside of Elias' head because of her secure location and not needing to run and scramble around the city like Laia.
Warrant: Better/More characterization give readers more insight into the characters views, world, and emotions, therefore creating a stronger attachment with the reader
Claim 3: While Laia has unanswered questions in her storyline, Elias' unanswered questions more obviously follow the traditional Hero's Journey--dealing with fate, and a promise of adventure.
Evidence: Elias is high-born and already a part of a secretive and elite order, whereas Laia is still searching for the Resistance and has no evidence of how to join them or even what to do once she finds them.
Evidence: Elias has his prophecy told by the Augers and they mention his epic journey that he is soon to venture forth on, as well as his famous destiny that he will soon fulfill.
Warrant: Characters who are engaged in adventure connected to conventional fantasy tropes are more easily empathized with and give the reader greater interest in their future.
Counterclaim: You are just keen to Elias because of his gender and more easily relate to male characters.
Rebuttal: I actually read the text assuming that both Elias and Laia were female, already a fan of Elias despite realizing his gender at the undressing scene around pg. 40 or so.
Evidence: Elias is high-born and already a part of a secretive and elite order, whereas Laia is still searching for the Resistance and has no evidence of how to join them or even what to do once she finds them.
Evidence: Elias has his prophecy told by the Augers and they mention his epic journey that he is soon to venture forth on, as well as his famous destiny that he will soon fulfill.
Warrant: Characters who are engaged in adventure connected to conventional fantasy tropes are more easily empathized with and give the reader greater interest in their future.
Counterclaim: You are just keen to Elias because of his gender and more easily relate to male characters.
Rebuttal: I actually read the text assuming that both Elias and Laia were female, already a fan of Elias despite realizing his gender at the undressing scene around pg. 40 or so.
Okay, first of all, I love the way you structured this entry, and I feel badly that I didn't structure mine in this way! Haha -- I was more informal in my argument, but I like yours for its specificity in Toulmin-izing the text. I loved that we got a chance to talk about this in book club Monday night, because I agree with you that (currently) Elias' storyline is more intriguing, character-wise, than Laia's. It also cracked me up that you thought Elias was a girl, but that fact DOES protect you from the possible male-centric counterclaim, so well done :) Well done! I'm excited to read more!
ReplyDeleteClever boy--you are the only one yet to have included a warrant--
ReplyDelete