There are many techniques that come into play in the telling of “Measuring the Jump.” Setting, plot and dialogue for example equally contribute to the style and tone of the story. The author Dave Eggers however mainly uses the technique of flashbacks to convey the very message and meaning of the story with which he intends to leave his readers. The relationship between the two main characters is essential to grasping the meaning of the story and Eggers emphasizes this by his consistent usage of flashbacks
The story has two protagonists, namely Fish and Adam and is revealed from Fish’s point of view. All the information that the reader receives regarding Adam is totally portrayed as if from Fish’s perspective. The plot of the story is rather simple;Adam, Fish’s cousin (and perhaps the only childhood relation that Fish can regard as brotherly) has just for the seventh time attempted suicide. The reader is introduced to the two characters in the midst of Fish’s drive to visit Adam who is in the hospital as a result of his most recent suicide attempt. Indeed the setting such as the drive, the hospital and the motel are necessary to the understanding of the story and greatly contribute the pleasant reading of the story. The story, however, is essentially about the characters of two protagonists, Fish and Adam and how Fish does some self-reflecting as a result of pondering his relationship with Adam.
Eggers uses the technique of flashback to describe the personalities of the two characters. Almost of the information that reveals anything about Adam’s personality is due to Fish’s memories and flashbacks of him. For example, in his explanation of how Chuck (a third cousin) does not know Adam for who he is Fish reveals very important aspects of Adam’s personality that the readers need to be aware of in order to fully understand and thus appreciate the story. Eggers explains through Fish’s voice that Chuck does not know Adam because “He never found Adam’s crusty tissues stuffed, like brains displayed in a char, in a curvy blue bottle he’d won at a carvival. He never caught Adam rubbing down Mary’s legs after track, his hands all over her calves.” (Pg 89) In fact it is almost impossible to understand anything about Adam’s character based the present short confrontation between Fish and Adam in the hospital. Yet the reader is able to get a sense of Adam’s carefree and childish nature soley based on Fish’s recollection of past experiences.
Understanding Adam and Fish’s relationship to him is crucial to the story because it is their relationship and Adam’s attitude and personality that inspires the change Fish undergoes at the end of the story.
The above essay was written by a college student and merely states opinions of a college student. However, if you feel strong about responding to the opinions stated, please write to articles@directorym.com and express your concerns.