Real Life Issues

The Vanishing Game has its share of dramatic sections or chapters and the more believable or realistic side of it as well. But above all the conflicts and problems that the characters have faced, to me, the most perpetual issue that stays with the characters is the foster family. When I see that the kids in the book, including kids in real life, we can tell that they have been scared by their foster family. The Seale House was a nightmare for the children because of the way they were treated. It can really affect their entire adult lives. Being mistreated every day in a place they had no other choice but to call ‘Home”.  As these kids get older, they all cope in different ways. Some may put up walls, and some may feel depressed. They can choose for the bad experiences in their lives make them stronger or tear them down.

Connection

The bond that the brother and sister share in this novel is very strong. Basically Jocelyn’s only lead to finding her brother was the letter she found on her bed. Usually just a letter cannot help determine if someone is faking death or where they have gone missing (unless the letter stated that). From just the outside postage stamp, she was able to figure out what Jack was trying to say. As if there is some sort of telepathy or mutual understanding between the two characters. Not even vocal communication is needed between the two to figure out where Jack has gone, if he is still alive, or in hiding.

Noah?

One of the characters, Noah was been absent from the story-line as of now. After he was talking t Jocelyn one night, he never really came back. Was it intentional by the author to do that? Or will not affect the story at all? Jack had disappeared much like this. Could there be a connection to both vanishings? We will just have to read to find out the rest of novel to find out how everything will play in together at the end!

New Chracter

In chapter 5 we are introduced to another character. Their identity is not given but whoever it is knows Jocelyn where or not she knows them. I had a feeling it was Jack until she saw who it was. A lot of the clues pointed to it being Jack because the text said he liked being the Cellar, he would hide there, etc. But in the end it was never Jack and it was someone else trying to get her attention. This character really thickens the plot and could develop the theme in certain ways. The peculiar thing to me is how did her know Jocelyn and she not known him? Was it one of the kids she had “forgotten” about?

Questioning... The Seale House

There is one major question I have recently thought about regarding the “Seale House”. So far the book has mainly surrounded the details and past of the children’s childhood through flashbacks in the foster home. But the curiosity is about something not even the deep meaning about the house. My burning question would be is the “Seale House” alive? It seems crazy to make such an accusation but there are a few hints throughout the text that point to this statement being true or enforcing the idea. For example on page 34 it says, “The flames would immediately go out, as if the house was extinguishing the fire”.  And on page 49 it says, “What if the Seale House let me in, but didn't want me to leave?” Both of these examples really create suspense and make the reader wonder if the Seale House was alive in some way. As a reader it excites me to think that this so-far realistic fiction novel could become fantasy, or maybe even science fiction.

Chapter 5 Theme

In chapter 5 of “The Vanishing Game”, the theme is mystery and panic. Throughout this section of the text, the author uses literary devices to get across the idea of such theme. For example on page 51 it says “A white knife of lightning sliced the sky and thunder boomed overhead”. This sentence uses a metaphor comparing a white knife and lightning. These words together make the reader sense mystery in the setting. On page 51 it also says, “Windy dust stung my eyes and my vision blurred, but I focused on the vibration of the guy’s tromping boots”. This sentence reinforces the idea of the panic Jocelyn was feeling as her pursuer was chasing her over the abandoned Seale House. As a general gist of this chapter, we know someone is chasing Jocelyn for unexplained reason.