_Unit 4 Portfolio (Alternative “Nethergrave”)
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University of Florida *
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102
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Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by ColonelLeopard3628
In the mysterious realm of the internet, a thrilling virtual world boasts an ethereal gateway to a perilous journey beyond imagination.
"Nethergrave" by Gloria Skurzynski is a scientific fiction about Jeremy, a teenage boy who
uses a virtual reality game to escape his real life. As he becomes obsessed, he faces consequences and must decide what's truly important in life. Skurzynski uses characterization and conflict to explore Jeremy's struggles with loneliness and disconnection in the real world.
The author of "Nethergrave" uses indirect characterization to describe the traits of the main character, Jeremy. Instead of describing Jeremy directly, the author represents him via his actions and thoughts. When Jeremy interacts with his virtual buddies in the online game, for example, it notes that "he had slowly shifted from a listener to a participant in their world." (Skurzynski 5). The phrase emphasizes the character's progression and transformation over time, from observing to actively participating in the fantasy gaming world, demonstrating his adventurous attitude and willingness to venture outside of his comfort zone.
In "Nethergrave" they capitalize on the fight of man vs. self in his novel. This internal tension is obvious as the protagonist, Jeremy, is divided between his desire for escape and adventure in the virtual world and his dread of facing the actual world and real-life issues. This contradiction is expressed in the following quote "I longed for something new, something different, something I wasn't sure I'd ever find in my real life" (Skurzynski 2). The quote shows the protagonist's internal turmoil throughout the novel. It demonstrates that the protagonist is unsatisfied with their current
situation and wants to make a change. This internal struggle motivates the protagonist to seek for something new and different, which leads them to the virtual realm of Nethergrave.
A possible theme
of the story "Nethergrave" by Gloria Skurzynski is the dangers of living in a virtual reality and the importance of facing reality. This
is shown when Jeremy realizes that the virtual world he was living in was not real and decides to go back to the real world. This subject is supported by the following remark from the story: "I couldn't escape reality by hiding in
the virtual world [...] reality is where I belong" (Skurzynski 6). The phrase emphasizes the importance of confronting and coping with reality, as Jeremy, the protagonist, acknowledges that the virtual world doesn't provide peace or escape from his underlying issues.
Through the nuanced portrayal of Jeremy’s isolation and the challenges he faces in both the virtual and real world, Skurzynski effectively conveys the theme of loneliness, disconnection, and the search for authentic connections. The theme of “Nethergrave" anecdote highlights the dangers of living in a virtual environment, and is highly relevant to our present-day lives. With the increasing use of technology and virtual reality platforms, there is a risk of becoming disconnected from the real world. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of engaging with and confronting the challenges of the real world rather than escaping into a virtual one.
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