This reflects a feature of totalitarianism: the unspoken hint that you should act in a certain way, that you should obey commands not said; that you should comply.
It also shows how subtle these things are, and how devastating the consequences can be if you do not pick on them. This is shown through the fact that if Leila does not follow the Sandman, she will, in all probability, die.
Fast forward a bit more, and we get to this:
‘I am the Sandman. I am the polemic, the feared, and the matter of which dreams are made of.’
‘Alex!’ you say: ‘why have you underlined those words?’
Well, dear reader, I have underlined them because it reveals a technique known as anaphora by the lit critics, and repetition by the more ordinarily minded of you.
Anaphora relates to a specific type of repetition that has the beginning word repeated either in adjacent sentences or in clauses. Its effect is to create power in the meaning of each individual sentence and clause.
Let us also examine what the quotation actually says. Describing the Sandman as ‘polemic’ implies that he is a representation of the critical thinker and the rogue card in society. In the next clause, we are told that such people are feared; in the clause thereafter, we are informed that this is a dream for those who are ostracised—for those who have been made reprobates.
But, attentive reader, think about this: why a dream? After all, dreams have connotations with happiness—but also mythopoeic fantasy. This may suggest that the Sandman is a creation of Leila’s imagination.
Of course, it also suggests that such superman saviours are merely a wish; change has to occur through you.
You probably already know that this book portrays the Sandman as both metaphorical and physical. This is for good reason: I intend to show that while a real occurrence can appear banal on the surface, it can in fact create deep alterations within a person’s mind.
This quote perhaps best contains the sentiments of the story:
‘For something to be forbidden, Leila, someone must make it forbidden. Ask why. Always ask yourself why.’
I think the message in that is pretty clear. Don’t you?
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS
In the end, the nature of the Sandman as a metaphor or real person is debatable by you. It doesn’t really matter, in the end: for as the motivation behind change is not always easily understood, the effects of change are.
What I want you to do, dear reader, is quite simple. I want you to doubt. I want you to ask questions; and I want you to think if the answers are truly satisfactory.
Anyway, up next are the acknowledgements. That will probably bore you senseless, if this hasn’t already. (Although you could leave a review instead.)
Acknowledgements
I must thank Helena Tingle, my English teacher, for making me believe that this story could become a reality; and for urging me to publish it! Yes, Mrs Tingle, don’t look so surprised: you did help! Giving me full marks was nice too…
I must also thank the Deranged Doctor Design team, for their fast service, compliance, and good quality. Oh, and their unreasonably low prices.
I’m afraid that’s it. Sorry guys.
About the Author
Alex Stargazer is also known as Alexandru Bujorianu; he writes in a blog, accessible at alexstargazer.blogspot.co.uk.
Alex likes all sorts of weird things, among which include: writing (duh), philosophising, writing... code, and various other strange and wonderful things. Alex, however, does not like being stalked—if doing so sounds tempting, please dunk some cold water over your head. Thank you.
Alex lives in Warwickshire, UK, in a town that shall not be mentioned. He has a dog, whom he calls Ginger, and whom he finds cute but frequently irritating. Alex wrote this at sixteen; it was initially submitted for the English GCSE, but is now published.
—Other Works by me—
I have written quite a few Poems on my blog.
I am editing a novel called the Necromancer. It will be published—eventually—I hope—but I won’t say anymore on that.
I will also publish a novelette called An Unfortunate Hike With A Vampire.
The Sandman Page 2