Exploring Characterisation & Style in Zigzag Street

Nick Earl successfully uses a range of different techniques throughout his novel Zigzag Street to engage with the audience such as characterisation, theme and style. Nick Earls’ use of characterisation has the most important role in engaging with the readers. His use of the theme reaches out to the audience as it is something as what is happening in Richard’s life is something many people can connect with. Earl has an individual and uncommon writing style of the use of italics instead of quotations when someone other than Richard is talking, which catches the attention of the readers.

Nick Earls’ use of characterisation successfully engages with the audience as they have something to relate to. Richard Derrington is heartbroken and the audience reads about how he is trying to find his way again. Many people have been heartbroken by someone at least once in their life which creates an instant connection to them. Jeff Ross is the friend Richard trusts and listens to in the novel, he is the one who talks sense into Richard without holding back. Jeff uses the power of words to help Richard like a therapist or psychologist, he can get through to Richard and the readers see him as the one who keeps Richard from losing his mind. Anna is someone who many individuals meet in real life, a crush, a lover, a

His use of italics instead of quotations when someone other than Richard is talking makes it interesting and it is as if Richard is having conversations with himself, as if thinking the answers. Zigzag Street is made from narrative writing, it is written in Richard’s point of view making it a first person narrative. Narrative writing is used as the purpose of this novel is to tell the story of six weeks in Richard’s life. Earls also uses a bit of expository writing explaining specific topics to the reader who doesn’t know what it is about such as “The dry sink thing” and “Some of Jess Ross’ best