As Our Treasure Safe By Margaret Blackwood Analysis

Characterisation has been created in this text indirectly and jointly through the words and the illustrations. Therefore the reader must use both linguistic and visual semiotic systems to create meaning from the characters that are portrayed in the story. Blackwood’s illustrations although drawn, are realistic and convey realistic characters. Dull, bland understated clothing and sombre facial expressions reflect an impression of hardship and lack of vanity and draws on the reader’s sensitivities and compassion. The illustrations also portray the two main characters, Peter and his father, either touching or in close proximity and usually leaning into each other. By doing this the illustrations reveal the characters love and support each other, leading the reader to like the characters and perhaps even draw on their own relationships for further meaning making.

This technique is clear in the following extract: “As the days went by, Peter’s father became very ill. He whispered, ‘You must be brave, for both of us. Promise me you will keep our treasure safe.’ ‘I promise,’ said Peter, and he gripped his father’s hand through the long night.” Wild gives no further insight into how Peter or his father is feeling or what they are thinking; instead the reader is encouraged to draw on existing knowledge to interpret the feelings and meanings portrayed. Wild and Blackwood have conveyed realistic characters in ‘The treasure box’ using the techniques discussed to successfully build a compelling story which draws on the readers prior experiences and emotional responses to draw