Research Paper on:
The Bone People by Keri Hulme and Structural Metaphors

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
strengthening of the emotional contexts of each section. In addition to the recurrence of "the tower" throughout the novel which is used for physical and psychological isolation of a character,  most prominently Kerewin, there are also other structural elements which are significant and found throughout such as "the spiral". Hulmes introduces the structural image of the spiral early in the  work when the readers find that a spiral staircase is at the center of Kerewins tower. The spiral is considered significant in the novel as Kerewin remembers that the old  people used to use spirals in their carvings as a symbol of rebirth. It is not surprising then that for Kerewin, her life also reflects a spiral, as she circles  back to rebuild her house for her own rebirth. Studying the structures throughout the novel by starting in the middle and then spiraling back towards the start of the book  and then the end can be done to reflect this study of the structures and spirals throughout the work. In the middle section of the novel, Kerewins tower is the  central part of the story reflecting the emotional and physical turmoil which is taking place around it. Kerewins life involves still the constantly spiraling story involving herself, Joe and Simon  only now an even deeper character has been introduced, Daniels, who bloody death Simon has brought into Kerewins tower house. When Simon runs to Kerewin for help after finding Daniels  dying after falling on a glass from a broken sherry bottle, Kerewin remains angry at him for stealing a knife previously from her and cannot get past this point. Her  home has physically become destroyed as well as the isolation it provided her. The isolation and safety she once felt in her tower home has been lost by the constant