Summarized & Analyzed "The Messenger"

By Student World

The book that you are about to read is not the original text of “The Messenger” written by Markus Zusak. It is a study guide for students of literature.

This book introduces the reader to the author, the novel, the plot, the characters, and then provides the complete summary of the novel. Finally, there is the critical analysis that helps the students of literature to better understand the novel.

Please do not download this book if you are looking for the original text of “The Messenger.”

Summarized & Analyzed "The Messenger"
Copyright
Author's Note
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Major Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Dec 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370091232

Book preview

Summarized & Analyzed The Messenger

Copyright

Summarized & Analyzed The Messenger

Student World

Copyright@2016 Student World

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved

Author's Note

The book that you are about to read is not the original text of The Messenger written by Markus Zusak. It is a study guide for students of literature.

This book introduces the reader to the author, the novel, the plot, the characters, and then provides the complete summary of the novel. Finally, there is the critical analysis that helps the students of literature to better understand the novel.

Please do not download this book if you are looking for the original text of The Messenger.

Chapter One: Introduction

The Messenger by Markus Zusak was first published in 2002 in Australia. It was released as I Am the Messenger in the United States. Ed Kennedy, the central character, is the main narrator of the story. Along with his descriptions, we find his comments throughout the novel.

It is a young adult novel. The novel is primarily about life and others are treated by us. It can’t be kept under one specific category, for it is part drama, part mystery, and part love story, however, it is a highly interesting story, a sure page turner.

When it was released in the United States, the book rapidly gained popularity and became a Michael L. Printz Honor Book in the year 2005. This novel was written before the author’s most successful novel The Book Thief.

The novel poses several questions before the readers, who are compelled to think about our life and what we really want from our lives. It also makes us think about where our relationships begin to flourish. There is no doubt that The Messenger is a highly thought-provoking novel.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

Ed Kennedy, a nineteen years old Australian, is a taxi driver. He is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. At the beginning of the novel, he accidently foils a robbery attempt. The robber tries to escape in his friend’s old car.

Ed is questioned by the police and they admire his help. He is also interviewed by the local media. He becomes a hero. He mentions that he loves playing cards every week with his friends Richie, Marv, and Audrey. Richie is jobless and he is generally apathetic about life.

Ed’s friend Marv is a carpenter. He is a stingy person. He has an old dilapidated car that he drives. Audrey is also a taxi driver like Ed. Ed happens to be in love with Audrey. It is not a reciprocal love because Audrey does not return Ed’s feeling.

Ed has a strained relationship with his mother. He regrets and laments it. His father has recently passed away. Ed has a dog called the Doorman, left by his father.

One night, he gets an envelope in his mail. It is a small envelope. There is no return address on the envelope. He opens the envelope and finds an Ace of Diamonds with three addresses and different times written on them.

He asks his friends whether they sent those addresses, but they deny any involvement. Ed decides to visit the addresses sent to him. He goes to the first address at midnight. He sees that a man is raping his wife while their daughter is crying on the porch.

Then Ed reaches the second address. It is the address of a senile widow named Milla. She lives alone in her house. She refers to Ed as Jimmy. He also sees a young girl named Sophie there. He learns that Sophie runs barefoot every morning, but she is not able to win at her track meets. Ed is curious to know more about Milla.

He researches her history. He learns that her husband had died in the Second World War, sixty years ago. She is still waiting for his return. Ed begins to pretend that he is Jimmy and continues to visit her every week. He gives Sophie an empty shoe box to raise her spirits. She keeps running barefoot, but she does not succeed. However, she is proud of her achievement.

One day, Ed receives a box in mailed to him. He opens the packet and finds a gun. He kidnaps the rapist but before kidnapping him, he threatens to kill him for the crimes he has committed.

One night, two masked men break into Ed’s house. They beat him and leave a congratulatory note for him. They also leave an Ace of Clubs with an unclear clue.

The following morning, Ed informs Audrey that he had only compelled the rapist to leave that