Looking For Alibrandi Character Analysis

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Recommended: Social identity and its impact

Identity is strongly influenced by peer and family relationships

In the novels, Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta and Wonder by RJ. Palacio, protagonists Josephine Alibrandi and August Pullman’s sense of self is influenced by the people they form relationships with. Both Josephine and August feel that they look different to their peers which distances them from their peers which makes them feel alienated. They show an eagerness to belong and be accepted into their communities. As shown by the need to control the aspects of their lives that they have power over such as dress and image. Both characters worry about their family, with whom they have a close if at times erratic relationship. As Josie and August are incredibly close to their family, they have a desire to protect their family members, sometimes unnecessarily. Josephine’s relationship with her peers strongly influences her self …show more content…

Their need to fit in,with their peers, leads to a change in identity, from being predominately related to the opinions of peers and family to being majorly influenced by the personal reactions to peers and family. Family life plays a significant role in shaping the individuality of both characters by the heritage, opinions and behaviours of family members. Josie and August finally realise the nature of their identity is more about how they react to others, rather than how others react to them. At the conclusion of the novels each protagonist has a firm understanding of their own beliefs, values and who they are, as demonstrated by the evolving identity throughout the novels. Looking for Alibrandi and Wonder illustrate the importance of peer and family relationships to the protagonists. The final view for both key characters is that identity is formed, not only by the influence of their relationships with family and peers, but also by their sense of

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