Don T Call Me Ishmael By Michael Gerard Bauer

437 Words2 Pages
‘Don’t Call Me Ishmael’ (2006) by Michael Gerard Bauer is a coming-of-age novel. The text follows Ishmael Leseur, a year nine student, as he navigates an all-boys high school, whilst forming new friendships and exploring his identity through his experience of being bullied. Bauer develops the central idea that language changes how individuals or society perceive certain events in the novel. Bauer demonstrates that language can transform one’s understanding of identity. Additionally, Bauer illustrates that an individual’s reputation can be damaged through language and words. Furthermore, Bauer suggests that language has the power to destroy one’s dignity. Bauer highlights that language can foster one’s sense of identity. One’s use of language