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Jordan Matthews's Use Of Time Essay

394 Words2 Pages

The author of the short story uses change and contrast in characterisation to emphasise that people live life rather than just existing. The author initially characterises Jordan Matthews as a routine-driven, isolated and compassionless man. The central protagonist is contrasted with the character of the flower seller who is free-spirited, ephemeral, and associated with the natural world. Through an encounter between the two, Matthews first changes in subtle ways and gradually is transformed into a character that embraces freedom, values relationships and sees the world through the eyes of nature/ develops a love for nature. Through these techniques the author explores the detrimental effect of routine taking over Matthew’s life/ the continual …show more content…

Matthews lives a routine-driven life which relies upon extreme punctuality. By permanently ‘set[ing] his watch alarm for twelve fifty-two’ Jordan Matthews guaranteed he would always be on time to ‘jolt [his] computer awake’. Time is the most important aspect to Matthews because it remained the same. However, it stripes him of the interesting surprises life can present. Even when Jordan Matthews slowed down a little, he was still able to ‘[shave] twenty-three seconds off his two-year record’. Furthermore, due to Jordan Matthews’ routine-driven nature and his obsessive sense of time, he knew that as his ‘clock chimed eight, his fortnight’s pay had been deposited…to the dollar’. Having only a timed-based connection with the outside world, Jordan Matthews felt ‘slightly dislocated’ when the cleaning lady visited. Matthew’s lack of compassion developed because of his selfish routine of withdrawal from people. Even an old man collapsing wasn’t a large enough ‘distraction’ to deter him from his perfectly- timed routine. Jordan Matthews isolates himself in a world of routine because time is his only companion which doesn’t change. Jordan Matthews is contrasted with the character of the flower seller who is free-spirited, ephemeral, and associated with the natural world. The flower seller’s sense of freedom brings an almost unrealistic aspect to her character. The

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