We Were Liars by E.Lockhart a mystery that the author reveals through her main character

 

WE WERE LIARS

BY E. LOCKHART RELEASE DATE: MAY. 13, 2014

a mystery that the author reveals through her main character

A story set on an island far from the mainland Massachusetts. As if it had its own world, the island was called Beechwood Island.

Retrieving lost memories is a difficult thing for someone to do, whether assisted by medical treatment or someone close to them. This was also felt by a girl. Cadence Sinclair, the eldest granddaughter of a wealthy family who experiences various things that change her life. Starting from her parents' divorce, which makes her devastated and hates her father. Then her move to Beechwood Island became the beginning of her closeness with her other family members. 

Her adventures with her brothers and sisters made them closer so that they earned nickname "The Liars" by other family members. As well as the family conflicts she faces, starting from her aunt's quarrels, her forbidden love story, to the manipulation of her grandfather who is the head of the patriarchal family. Which leads to an incident that makes her lose memory.

So how does Cadence regain her lost memories?

The author describes the characters through dialogue, descriptions, actions, inner thoughts, interactions, backstory, symbolism contained in the novel We Were Liars. Like when Cadence describes herself "I used to be blond, I used to be strong, I used to be pretty". This already describes Cadence's physical appearance.

Lockhart's writing makes the readers' knowledge of the story of we were liars limited to Cadence's memories, this certainly makes the readers curious and interested in the passage of time until Cadence gets all her lost memories. It's as if the readers who were initially in a gray/dark position are moving to a bright place.

The characters in this novel develop through the conflicts they face, the relationships they have, awareness of the actions they have comitted, the choices they have made, the backstory that is eventually revealed, the successes and failures they had, and their behavior/actions that ultimately become a symbol. 

Like when Cadence's parents divorced, Cadence experienced a change in feelings where it was as if she had been shot with a shotgun by her father.

In this story there are several plots in the form of Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. Exposition that starts from Cadence describing herself to introducing her entire family and also where they live. Until the end of the Resolution which marked Cadence's farewell to "The Liars".

The author uses first person point of view. Cadence is the source of details about We Were Liars, from her we can find out who she is, what she looks like, who her parents are, what she has, and her family. The reader's knowledge about We Were Liars is obtained from Cadence as she slowly heals her migraines.

There two main themes in this novel that is Kinship and wealth&privilege. The reason why kinship became theme in this novel because throughout the story the conflict occurs in families who gather on their own island. The privilege of wealth can be seen from the Sinclairs family, it is depicted that this family enjoys the wealth they have and lives a luxurious life. And also this family is an influential family.

The Beechwood Island became the symbol of wealth&privilege. this island depicts the wealth owned by the Sinclairs. Where this island is their residence, and separates them from the outside world. As if they have their own world on this island. With this, the Sinclairs can choose/determine who can enter their family/inner circle. 

There is another symbol that can depict wealth&privilege. That is Clairmont House, Cadence herself said that Clairmont is not a house, but rather a symbol. Who have been controlling their family through the wealth in Clairmont. Clairmont is like a palace and Harris is the king. Also can be said that Clairmont is symbol of control.

Throughout the story goes, we can learn few moral messagge. In every action that is done there must be consequences. And we must be ready for those consequences whatever happens because that is a form of responsibility.

Pub Date: May. 13, 2014                     Page Count: 242                      Posted Online : Oct, 22, 2024

ISBN: 978-1-4714-0398-9                  Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: YOUNG ADULT, MYSTERY, FICTION, ROMANCE, THRILLER, TEEN, CONTEMPORARY