Ace Of Diamonds Essay

In short written texts, writers often use symbols to represent complex or significant ideas. Analyse how symbols have been used to develop your understanding of people or ideas in at least TWO short writtens texts that you have studied.
In the short story 'The Ace of Diamonds Gang' by Owen Marshall, the author uses a 'Ace of Diamonds' and a 'library card' to help us understand the idea of fantasy vs reality. The 'Ace of Diamonds' symbolises the ideas of fantasy and boyhood. The 'library card' symbolises the ideas of reality and adolescence.
The symbol the 'Ace of Diamonds' helps us understand the ideas of fantasy and boyhood. The gang use the 'Ace of Diamonds' on their masks and as the gangs symbol. The gang leaves an 'Ace of Diamonds' card at their crime scenes. For the narrator and Bernie the 'Ace of Diamonds' was a way to 'escape from being 13 years old in a provincial town.' The 'Ace of Diamonds' give the gang anonymity, power and excitement. The 'Ace of Diamonds' was what all of the members wanted to be and be seen as. The symbol was used to cover up their flaws,' Ashleys wind, Bernies glasses and Hec green having to be in by nine o'clock.' The gang compared themselves to the 'Heroes of History' such as the Black hand. The 'Ace of Diamonds' was what the gang saw themselves as in their fantasy world.
The symbol the'library card' helps us understand the ideas of reality and adolescence. The gang wanted to be seen as anonymous, powerful and exciting but in reality they are stereotypically just nerds. The library card took away their anonymity and revealed their identities. Library cards are stereotypically used by nerds and is boring which is the opposite of what the members of the gang wanted to be. The 'library card' had the narrators identity on it meaning the revealing and end of the gang. The end of the gang to the narrator meant 'the end of boyhood' and 'the end of free imagination.' The library card showed what the members were like in reality and ended their fantasy.
In conclusion the 'Ace of Diamons' showed the idea of fantasy and boyhood. The 'library card' showed the idea of reality and adolescence. The 'library card' showed who they really were which was the opposite of the 'Ace of Diamonds' which was what they wanted to be. The symbols together show the idea of fantasy vs reality.