All humans possess the potential to be evil through power, but it can also instigate positive change if used with the right intension. Isobelle Carmody’s novel The Gathering (1993) demonstrates exactly this. Nathanial the main protagonist and his mother move to the quiet, modelled town of Cheshunt, he instantly senses an eerie vibe that roams along the safe streets of the so called perfect town. Harassing youth groups, corrupt police forces and a megalomaniac head master that governs the heart of evil appears to be the reality of the townt. The use of literary techniques including characterisation, low fantasy elements and setting help explore this main theme of good versus evil and how power can not only corrupt but heal the past. Carmody …show more content…
Events within Nathanial’s dreams become more prominent when indicating future matters throughout the novel; “I dreamed the abattoir was actually at the school... I had gone in to investigate and found them sacrificing The Tod.” (p.9). This foreshadow is important in signifying the school to be the primal location for Mr Karle’s evil to manifest, as his army consists of high school students. The murder is determined to be a key factor in his quest to “show them the error of their way” and to “teach them with pain and sorrow and suffering...” (p.249). further into the book Mr Karle orders The Gathering to kill Nathanial’s dog in the hope of “teaching him a lesson”. Though, this vile, inhumane act, only create strength within Nathanial to ignore the evil and save the town. The power Mr Karle has over his “instruments” (p.249) for them to commit such crimes proves that anyone can be evil and its’ the strength to battle that is so strongly shown in Nathanial. With the help of relative foreshadowing, important events such as the death of The Tod are explored deeper within the theme of all humans having the potential to be