Examples Of John Wilson In 'The Secret Lives Of Sgt'

While there are many ways to intrigue a reader, Lois Simmie keeps readers interested in The Secret Lives of Sgt. John Wilson with the use of flashbacks and foreshadowing. This technique is effective because it builds dramatic tension and suspension, and is a great tool to prepare the reader emotionally for what’s to come. John Wilson’s irrational personality, others' perceptions of him, and his deceitfulness all play a role in the unfortunate ending he leads himself to.
The beginning of the story refers to John Wilson's irrational personality, but as time goes on it’s clear that he gradually worsens. The Wilson Family was well respected throughout the Clyde Valley district and seen as quiet, industrious, honest people. The oldest son, John

When Wilson still lived in Scotland, his reputation was ruined after people learned about the measures John and his brother took to save their greenhouse business. This included stealing money from a trusting old man, as well as John’s brother-in-law. John left for Canada as a result until the scandals subsided, promising Polly he would return in a year (pg 10). Yet, fleeing from the scandals only made everyone look down on him even more. “He could have stayed and faced it, the rest of us did.” (pg 10). Almost everybody he had encountered after coming to Canada, including the Patterson family and Eileen Wismer to name a few, had a negative impression of Wilson. Each had their reasons as to why they took a disliking to Wilson, however, the main reason was his

This was clear to those around him, but not to Polly Hutchison and Jessie Patterson, the two women he loved. While in the RNWMP he was seen as mysterious as he didn’t talk much about himself, because of this rumours about him were easily spread as he didn’t always respond to them. “Well, you know there are rumours going around that you’re a married man, and I have to ask you if they’re true.” (pg 30). Wilson responded with a lie, of course; he made good use of his ability to think up falsehoods on the spot. Like when he covered up Polly’s death as a car crash, however, he would get caught up in his lie by telling people different stories (pg 83). Wilson had been caught up in his lies right up until the very end; for instance, when he was charged with murder, he had the clever idea to plead insanity as his defense rather than admitting he was guilty. “His act was indefensible, and the only remote possibility of mercy might come through a plea of insanity.” (pg 188). In the end, Wilson could not lie his way out of his situation, April 23, 1920, is the registered death of John L.