Let us analyse the title. " Flipping Fantastic". We know what fantastic means. It refers to something extraordinary, out of the usual or norm. So when some one says something or an act is 'fantastic', it means it is extraordinary or superb.'Flipping' in the context of this short story means 'to react strongly and especially enthusiastically'. So the title,"Flipping Fantastic" could mean 'extraordinarily superb'.
Set out in the form of diary entries by twin brothers and their mother, the story starts with the last day of primary school at Peter Hill where the twin brothers both acted parts in a school play. Then out of the diary pages, is reflected the thoughts of both the twin brothers, Tristan and James on the new schools they will be attending shortly. The diary pages of the mother will reflect her thoughts on the behavioral aspects of her twin sons.
Tristan is no ordinary boy. He is physically challenged and is wheel-chair bound. He has always been pushed around by James or his mother. Interestingly, Tristan has developed a 'can do' spirit and he is most confident for a person who needs help to get around. James, on the other hand, is shy. He is the exact opposite of Tristan, needing words of encouragement to spur him on.
In fact, James feels that having Tristan go to a special school called Chesterlea Grange, where Tristan will be home only during week-ends, is somewhat disadvantageous to him as he needs Tristan's help in Highfields, the new school he will be attending which is a day school for ordinary students. Moreover, he is shy and believes there is no one there whom he will be able to depend upon.
That is the exposition of this short story. We will move on in the next posting.
5 comments:
thank you very much for your post.
can u tell the moral values for this story?
Onlyme,
Let us look at some of the possible moral values of this short story. They are related to the themes that you have identified in the story.
Let us look at the issues surrounding Tristan. As he is physically challenged,the moral value that can be inferred situationally is that he must be thankful and 'bloom into his true self' through the opportunities afforded to him by his mother.
A moral value for James would be that he must learn to be outgoing and learn how to depend on himself' without help from anyone.
A moral value for their mother is to "provide the children the proper environment to grow up and excel".
Could you please discuss the themes & narrative style of Flipping Fantastic.
Thank you so much for your post. i do really want to know how would you consider looking at the small l in the story.
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