Read the first 15 lines of the 'Wise Children'.Consider the appropriateness of this extract as an introduction to the novel as a whole.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Read the first 15 lines of the 'Wise Children'.

Consider the appropriateness of this extract as an introduction to the novel as a whole.

Carter has condensed a number of reoccurring themes and viewpoints into the first 15 lines of the novel. Indeed, the first two lines of this extract introduces the reader to the central theme of duality with Carter using the symbol of the city as a starting point.

''Why is London like Budapest?

Because it is two cities divided by a river.''

Although the significance of this statement is not entirely clear from the beginning pages, after reading the novel as a whole it is apparent that the issue of duality is a central theme. We are presented with various sets of twins, each with their own personalities, comedy compared to tragedy, illegitimacy compared to the 'conventional' family, England compared to America, the Chances compared to the Hazards. Although it is a short extract and therefore couldn't possibly introduce all the characters or go into her point of view in detail, it undoubtedly establishes Dora's situation and her unusual outlook on life

Arguably the most important phrase in this section