Symbolism In Want To Go Private

According to Screen & Reveal, as many as 500,000 predators pose a threat to younger children who use the internet. 1 in 25 children will be manipulated into physical contact within a year. 82 percent of online predators are male.
The critical literacy book Want to Go Private? Takes place in the Mark State of Connecticut. Abby Johnston, a 14 year old girl, meets a man called Luke on an online website. He claims to be 27 years old. When an unfortunate event happens between the two, it shocks the whole community. Symbolism, flashbacks and flashforwards, and revealing actions are all incorporated as author craft moves in Want To Go Private? By Littman.

The most prominent author's craft move Littman makes is symbolism. There are many things in the story which resemble the way online predators act. Earlier in the story, Abby’s science partner asked her out on a piece of paper. Abby told Luke and he got very jealous and possessive of her. He told her he was the jealous type. “I told u, I'm the jealous type.” (Pg. 88). Another symbol in this story is the phone Luke gave Abby. He used the phone so they can keep what they talk about a secret so he doesn’t get caught. “Hope you get the phone soon…” (Pg.

Early in the book, Abby and her best friend Faith drift away in the beginning of highschool because Abby is so focused on Luke and Faith is trying to make new friends. Abby misses Faith very much, but is also angry with her because Faith was getting close with this one girl in her class. “To see if things can go back the way they were…” (Pg. 69). Faith asked Abby if they could have a sleepover like the old times, but Abby declined. Abby also wanted to talk to Billy, her science partner, but remembered that Luke gets jealous easily. What Luke says is affecting her personal relationships. Luke reminded her again that he gets jealous easily. “I’m the jealous type.” (Pg.