Patricia Wrightson's "The Nargun and the Stars": A Story with Two Sides
Introduction In the realm of literature, there exists a profound capacity to give voice to the marginalized, the misunderstood, and the "other." Margaret Mahy once remarked, "Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger." In the case of Patricia Wrightson's masterful work, "The Nargun and the Stars," this sentiment takes form as the narrative unfolds to present the "other" point of view. Critics have highlighted this shift in Wrightson's storytelling, a shift that becomes particularly evident in the interaction between young Simon, the Nargun, and the Potkoorok. This essay seeks to explore how the "other" perspective is manifested in the story and to dissect its significance in the broader context of environmentalism, human relationships, and the quest for belonging.
