Wonder Oral Script
R.J. Palacio 2012 novel Wonder follows a boy with a rare craniofacial disorder named August and his first year at
'real' school. The protagonist, August, experiences ups and downs, and his perspective shows how kids with facial
deformities must live. Something readers may not instantly realise about August is that on the inside, he's just a 10-
year-old. He feels and acts like one but his craniofacial differences set him far from "normal". In the novel ''Wonder'',
R.J. Palacio uses semantic fields and metaphors to characterise August as childish yet strong through his rocky first
year of middle school. Using tone, mood and characterisation, Palacio presents August's perspective as a sensitive,
nervous yet hopeful 10-year-old boy wanting to survive middle school, positioning the audience to feel sympathetic
and proud of August through the rollercoaster of events that he faces in 5th grade. R.J. Palacio uses characterisation
in the chapter Ordinary to present August as insecure, wistful, and honest. Palacio does this to show the layers of
August's personality.
With a low modality semantic field, Palacio conveys August's wistful insecurities. The chapter Ordinary
demonstrates this when August says, 'If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I
could...be normal '. This semantic field has negative connotations as August speaks in a pitiful way that shows how
desperately he wishes to be normal. This positions the audience to feel sympathetic for August and his situation. It
supports Palacio's message by putting the audience in his shoes and encourages them even further to choose kind.
August in the chapter Ordinary is presented as a sensitive and insecure 10-year-old boy using semantic fields and
characterisation which reinforces R.J. Palacio's key message of acceptance, kindness, and respect.
In the chapter of Padawan, R.J. Palacio uses tone to present August as sensitive yet strong at the same time in this
instance. Palacio conveys the message that even though August has endured so many physically difficulties, he is still
a sensitive child on the inside. To do this, the author uses repetition and imagery to describe the scene accurately. To
quote the chapter, ''She (Mum) said soft words that I know were meant to help me, but words can't change my
face.'' The technique connotes insecurity as the way August describes his looks shows he is unaccepting of himself,
positioning the readers to feel sympathetic for August for how he feels about himself. This aids Palacio's message as
by putting readers into the shoes of a child with craniofacial differences, the more people will choose kind. August's
perspective is presented through tone which helps communicate Palacio's message of choose kind by giving the
audience a step into his shoes.
The chapter Floating uses mood to present August and his perspective as an overjoyed kid and as someone to be
happy and proud of. Using mood, Palacio hints at an additional message, which is that hard times don't last long,
implying that August's struggles in 5th grade have been 'honoured' with an award. To convey mood, R.J. Palacio uses
the micro technique of metaphorical imagery. This can be seen in one example from the text Floating, ''I felt like I
was floating. It was so weird. Like the sun was shining full force on my face and the wind was blowing.''. As it
describes the new euphoria that August was feeling, this metaphorical imagery has positive connotations. The
technique sets a positive mood, positioning the reader to feel proud of August and happy for him. This support
Palacio's message as it shows that all of August's persistence through struggles have come back as an achievement.
August is presented, through mood, as a delighted, overjoyed 10-year-old who has won an award much to his own
surprise. This communicates Palacio's key message of choose kind as August deservingly won an award through
empowering others to choose kind.
Three macro elements; characterisation, mood and tone help R.J. Palacio form and layer August's perspective in
Wonder. As a result, audiences are positioned to feel sympathetic and proud of August through his difficult first year
of middle school. This makes the audience think about how they influence others and the importance of kindness
and acceptance. This perspective puts the audience in a position where they feel sympathetic and proud of August
through the rollercoaster of events in 5th grade. In conclusion, to choose kind is not just to be kind, but is to be
kinder than necessary. August and his perspective teach the audience, to be respectful, inclusive and to always
choose kind. August teaches the audience one valuable lesson that has a lasting impact on readers; choose kind.
Thank you.
Bibliography
Website Citations
1. “LitCharts.” LitCharts, www.litcharts.com/lit/wonder/characters/august-pullman.
2. Troolin, Amy. “What Literary Devices Are Used in Wonder? - ENotes.com.” ENotes, 16 Feb. 2022,
www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-literary-devices-are-used-in-wonder-3021012#:~:text=In
%20Wonder%2C%20R.%20J.%20Palacio%20uses%20a%20variety. Accessed 8 June 2023.
3. “Wonder - How Would You Describe August’s Personality? Showing 1-17 of 17.” Www.goodreads.com,
www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1998910-how-would-you-describe-august-s-personality. Accessed
8 June 2023.
Book Citations
1. Palacio, R.J. Wonder. New York, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 14 Feb. 2012.
Other Citations
1. ChatGPT, personal communication, 21 May, 2023
