Appearances and disguise - analysing the evidence
The way Nicole is presented
How does Cormier show this?
Example 1
Francis compares Nicole with a saint.
Evidence
The pale purity of her face reminded me of the statue of St Thérèse in the niche next to Father Balthazar’s confessional in St Jude’s Church.
Analysis
Nicole is perfect in Francis’ opinion. By likening her to a saint he is implying that she is pure and sinless, which she is until the rape. After that, she is tainted by Larry’s sin and actually commits a sin of her own when she accuses Francis – unjustly – of doing nothing to stop Larry.
Example 2
At the end of the novel, Nicole apologises to Francis, and he notices that she has drastically altered.
Evidence
I’m sorry about one thing,
she says.What I did to you that day.
...the softness is gone from her face...
...her hair is cut short and combed straight and flat...
Analysis
Nicole acknowledges that she was wrong to blame Francis, and she has changed her appearance as though to punish herself. She has got rid of her hair, a symbol of her former femininity and beauty, suggesting what Larry took away from her.
The other characters
How does Cormier show this?
Example 1
The veterans in the bar hide behind their jokes and laughter.
Evidence
The veterans in the St Jude Club always greet me with big hellos and slaps on the back and make room for me at the bar...
Arthur Rivier is slumped against the brick building at the entrance of Pee Alley and I know instantly that he is drunk.
Analysis
Francis sees tell-tale signs that the ex-soldiers are not as happy as they appear to be. Each one has moments where their guard is let down and Francis sees that they have not forgotten the horrors that they witnessed when they were in action.
Arthur uses alcohol to cushion him from the dreadful memories even though he presents a jolly exterior to the world most of the time.
Example 2
When Francis goes to the convent to enquire about Nicole at the end of the novel, he meets Sister Mathilde again.
Evidence
"...she touches the long black rosary beads that dangle from her hip to the hem of her long black skirt. Her skin is as white as the starchedwimpleThe veil and head-dress of a nun.framing her face."
Analysis
Sister Mathilde, like all the nuns, is covered from head to toe in a long black (a nun’s) habitThe long clothes worn by a nun.. All that is visible is her face. She tells Francis that having a calling
to be a nun is not easy, and she says mysteriously that everyone has secrets. It is clear that she is not simply an old woman who lives outside normal society. She sees very well what is happening in the world but her nun’s clothing acts as a disguise, making people almost fail to notice her.
Analysing the evidence
Question
How does Robert Cormier explore the themes of appearances and disguise?
Cormier looks at the way people can be very different from the way they appear to others, by presenting the character of Francis, a person who really does have a terrible appearance since he has no face. He must cover his injuries with a bandage and scarf and as a result nobody can see his identity.
Some characters, such as George Richelieu, have lost limbs but disguise their injuries under clothes. Others, like Arthur Rivier, have no visible injuries at all but are struggling to conceal terrible psychological wounds.
Then there is Larry LaSalle, who on the outside seems so wonderful, but who is disguising an evil personality underneath.
Nicole changes her appearance as if to punish herself for blaming Francis and to rid herself of any femininity. Everybody is hiding something, according to this novel.
