Analyse af Ali Smiths 'The Go-Between'

With the emergence of the globalisation, refugees and the question of what rights they are warranted have become a politically sensitive issue. Many moral and ethical questions must be thoroughly considered on the matter. To what extent can we honourably limit their freedom of movement? Are the western communities, in fact, deteriorating the situation of many in the vulnerable developing countries? By reading Ali Smith’s story, these are issues that you will receive insight into and the following content revolves around how the author distributes this particular insight. She makes use of various literary devices such as the type of narrator, language, and imagery in order to meet her intention with her piece of work.

The story is told by a first-person narrator. Consequently, the point of view is the protagonist of the story. The fact that the story is presented by a character has the effect of giving a stronger impression of the situation and creating valuable identification with the reader. An example of both the narrator being first-person as well as the importance of it comes to show not far into the opening. “What they did, instead, was they chased us with dogs, sticks, electric shock sticks and guns, and a boy near me fell own, he had a bullet in the leg and then a guard was beating the boy on the same leg with a stick” (P. 1, L. 23) Intensively, you feel close to the action of the situation. With this particular choice of narrator, Ali Smith manages to give a clearer picture of the protagonist’s situation, which is essential and powerful in this context.