Sonya Hartnett, the author of “The Silver Donkey” represents the key character, Lieutenant Shepard, in a number of ways. First, she uses figurative language to create a sense of mystery and wonder around him. For example, she describes him as a "ghost" and as “dead" (Chapter 1, The Soldier in the Trees). This language creates a sense of unease and suspense, and it makes the reader want to learn more about him. Second, Hartnett uses dialogue to reveal Shepard's character. In particular, she has him tell the sisters stories about his life (Chapter 5, 8, 11 and 14). These stories are full of adventure and excitement, and they show that Shepard is a brave and courageous man. They also reveal his love for his family and his country. Third, Hartnett uses sentence patterns to create a sense of empathy for Shepard. For example, she often uses short, simple sentences to convey his thoughts and feelings. This makes the reader feel closer to Shepard and helps them to understand his experiences. Overall, Hartnett uses a variety of language features to …show more content…
It represents the soldier's belief that he can still find a place in the world despite the hardships he has faced. The silver donkey is mentioned when the soldier is telling the story of his sick brother (Page 156, The Fourth Tale), who dug a hole in his sadness and confusion. “Tears of defeat dropped down his cheeks and splashed into the hole” (Page 161) and through the depths of the hole, a shining donkey emerged”, symbolising hope and fortune. The brother gave the donkey to the soldier as a good luck charm when he enlisted to fight in the war. Later, the soldier finds the silver donkey after being deserted from the army, and it serves as a powerful reminder of his brother's love and faith in him, giving him the strength to keep going. Ultimately, the silver donkey is a symbol of resilience and the power of hope to overcome even the greatest