“To what extent is Macbeth and Son more than a story about Luke and Lulachs acceptance of a new father?”
Fiction is a platform of writing that presents the important issues and values in life. The Author of ‘Macbeth and Son’, Jackie French presents a dual plot about two boys named Luke and Lulach. Lulach who lives in the 11th century and Luke living in the present’s times are two boys who are battling to find if truth really matters. The main issues that are introduced including duty and responsibility, the relationship that the two boys have with their step-fathers and courage. French supports her ideas by using literary techniques such as similes, metaphors, personification, irony and imagery. This allows the reader to create a connection with the characters is the novel.
Courage is presented through the experiences encountered by Luke and Lulach in Macbeth and Son. Lulach demonstrates courage immediately in the text when he looks at his fathers” blackened the holes [staring] at him.” The use of personification helps to create the image of the dead body lying before Lulach. Lulach is also confronted with the “stench of burned hair, bone and flesh.” French’s use of sensory imagery helps the reader to visualise and sympathise with Lulach, who has a young child, is confronted with the death of his father. The reader views this as courageous because instead of reacting emotionally and running away. Lulach remains and absorbs the image before him. Unlike Lulach, Luke doesn’t immediately display courage. Initially Luke hides behind his mistakes of cheating and believes that “there’d be time to work it out later.” Despite his procrastination he does eventually cheat, “but would be if [he] kept the scholarship.” The reader acknowledges Luke’s actions as courageous because he could have been mocked or criticised for standing up in front of the class and telling them that he cheated, from these examples it is clear to the reader that both Luke and Lulach cope with...