Rhetorical Devices

Sparks has a compelling way of encaptivating his readers. He does this through intriguing flashbacks and anecdotes. The novel is told through the anecdote of fifty-seven year old Landon Carter. In many instances, Sparks will foreshadow the present. For example, in the end of chapter two, Sparks does a side remark  *"It wasnt until later that I would learn the reason why..."*

Sparks also uses many biblical allusions and verses. Not only did this empower the possible validity of this novel, but emphasized the possible reality of it. One of my all time favorite verses is in chapter 12, "I cry to you my Lord, my rock! Do not be deaf to me, for if you are silent...".  These allusions had an impact on me when reading it because it made me contemplate more about the plot and about how it connected to my own life. Sparks also asks a lot of rhetorical questions which gets the readers thinking and involved.

The last major rhetorical device Sparks successfully used was imagery. Many of his scenes described were so discriptive and clear in my mind that even the movie couldn't depict. "The sky is overcast and gray, but as I move down the street, I notice that the dogwoods and azaleas are blooming. I zip up my jacket just a little. The temperature is..." As I read this paragraph, my sensory details went into play and I could vividly imagine the feeling, and the sight of what Sparks was trying to portray. Job well done!

Wedding--an actual walk to remember

This scene was told in the last few paragraphs of this intriguing novel. Unlike this image, Jamie was described as being incredible weak and barely able to stand. "With all the strength she had left, Jamie stood shakily as her father supported her. Jamie and Hegbert started moving again, and I felt my heart surge with pride. It was, I remembered thinking, the most difficult walk anyone ever had to make. In every way, a walk to remember" (237).

Themes

There are two obvious themes that stuck out to me when reading this novel. One of the most prevalent themes is love conquers all. Even though Jamie is dying from the rare form of leukemia, the two have experienced true love, which helps them through their time of adversity and hardship. Landon and Jamie decide to get married and experience true love in marital bliss until Jamie passes away. Sparks shows how her walk down the aisle, while painful, is a walk that one will make for true love and affection, (hence the title, A Walk to Remember). Even though true love cannot grant a miracle of her Leukemia going into remission, they both experience the miracle of love and the opportunity to find their soul mate.


Another theme relating to the specific cultural identity of America is superficiality and judgement. The entire story was shaped around overcoming that superficiality and judgement. Sweet Jamie never let anyone take her down, and she saw past everyone's harsh judgements. Landon also overcomes this prevalent nature seen in many people. Landon faced dealing with the rude and intimidating judgement of his peers. For example, in chapter 4, Landon's best friends were making fun of Landon for potentially liking an outcast, Jamie. It wasn't until Jamie announced her dying state that Landon's friends terminated their judgement and cried for forgiveness. Many people in America; even in the entire world, are faced with judgement and superficiality. It was overcoming and not letting these horrid characterists rule that led to the ultimate everlasting love of Jamie and Landon.

“Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it.” This is quoted in the end of the novel, once Jamie is gone. Jamie has completely changed Landon, and although she is in another place, he can still feel her warmth and love. Love stories don't usually speak to me as much as this particular quote did.    

One of my favorite components of reading "A Walk to Remember" was the allusions to the Bible. I am not typically an overally religious person; however, reading some of the verses intertwined in the novel gave me inspiration and hope for my faith. This particular verse was read by Landon to Jamie in the hospital by Jamie's bed. She wanted it to be read at her  fairytale wedding, (which we later find actually comes true). This verse means a lot to Jamie, and to me as well from reading it.

Landon crying

This particular image reflects the sadness in Landon's aching heart when he learns Jamie has Leukemia. "The moment she told me, the blood drained from my face and a sheaf of dizzying images fluttered through my mind. Why she didnt think she'd go to college..why she'd given me her Bible...Jamie, sweet Jamie, was dying... I held her again, not knowning what else to do, tears filling my eyes, trying and failing to be the rock I think she needed." Landon is usually a strong boy, but when he learns of this awful secret, his world comes crashing down. This particular moment shapes Landon in a way that just a month before wouldn't have. Landon has finally found the meaning of love and what it's like to not have anyone else affect or alter the opinions of it. This moment strengthens Landon's character, and contributes to his growing maturity. This is also the turning point in the novel. Everything previously hinted at, leads to this particular event. Sparks does a good job in foreshadowing this event, as to where suspicion is always in the back of the readers mind.

Character Study

The protagonist, 17-year old Landon Carter narrates this story. The 40-year old future Landon also contributes parts of the story. Landon progresses from a self-centered teenager to an altruistic young man who places his focus on the welfare of others. Landon has always been gentleman-like, a decent student, well-like by his classmates, and even attends church every Sunday. But his life's performance is solely satisfactory. He only does the bare minimum and as little as is required of him. The thing is, no one in his life is asking him to be anything more--that is, until Jamie Sullivan. They are entirely opposites, as in he's popular; she's an outcast. He puts in the least effort possible; she puts in the most she can manage. He avoids helping others; she goes out of her way to help everything and everybody. And yet she completely changes everything about Landon. It's the pressure to be better and guilt over having been less than he could be that create Landon's growth into an extraordinary young man. "She practically glowed when she spoke. Though she wasn't saying it to make me feel guilty, that was the way I felt. "

No one is forcing Landon to change, but he wants to be better himself. For example, in chapter 9, Landon found that all the money that Jamie had been raising for a year totaled to only 50 dollars which was barely anything. He secretly put 200 dollars in the fund so that she wouldn't be so disappointed. After she found the miraculous amount of money, Landon thought, "For once, it was the right thing to do" (146).

Jamie Sullivan is a complex character who defies stereotyping. She is described as unattractive; yet her rare attractiveness (such as during the play) surprises Landon throughout the novel. She is the preacher's daughter and thought of as a pious outcast. She carries a Bible with her everywhere, but it is later explained that is her connection to her mother that she never got to meet. Jamie sees the good in everyone and refuses to judge anyone. In spite of not having any siblings, she shares her life with orphans, and in spite of not having much money, she shares her time and money with others at every opportunity. When Landon asked Jamie if she enjoyed coming to the orphanage, or if it made her sad, she said: "Both. Some of the children here came...It's the greatest feeling in the world."