Footnotes prove to be a very useful tool in John Green’s “An Abundance of Katherine's.” They clarify things, create humor, and sometimes provide vital information. In this book especially, footnotes are an essential part of the author’s craft.
First of all, footnotes can clean up some confusing areas. Frequently, Colin (the protagonist) uses names or words that are unknown to the majority of readers. For example, There’s a reference to someone named John Locke. The author doesn’t explain who John Locke is, but the footnote attached to it says: “A British philosopher and political scientist who could read and write in Latin and Greek before the rest of us can tie our shoes.” Footnotes explain things that would otherwise leave readers confused.
Second of all, Footnotes can create humor. John Green uses this technique frequently. Most footnotes in “An Abundance of Katherine’s” provide an anecdote of a funny story/event etc. For example, the author writes something in French, and following that is the translation: “My name is Pierre. When I go to the metro, I also make fart music.” As you can see, quite humorous! Footnotes in this book frequently provide funny anecdotes.
Lastly, footnotes provide vital information. Colin constantly references historical events, math equations, etc. Footnotes can delve into what he’s talking about. For example, Colin works on a theorem that he hopes will predict the length of a relationship. He tries to describe what he is working on, but it can prove to be very confusing for the average reader. Therefore, he includes footnotes: “To get this variable, Colin took the two people’s average age and subtracted five.” There are many, many footnotes like this one that help the reader visualize/understand what Colin is talking about.
Overall, it is clear to see how in John Green’s “An Abundance of Katherine’s,” footnotes are used to provide clarity, hilarity, and vital information. Footnotes are an enormous part of the author’s craft in this book, and I don’t think that the book would be the same without them. At least for one thing, a lot of people would be very confused!
First of all, footnotes can clean up some confusing areas. Frequently, Colin (the protagonist) uses names or words that are unknown to the majority of readers. For example, There’s a reference to someone named John Locke. The author doesn’t explain who John Locke is, but the footnote attached to it says: “A British philosopher and political scientist who could read and write in Latin and Greek before the rest of us can tie our shoes.” Footnotes explain things that would otherwise leave readers confused.
Second of all, Footnotes can create humor. John Green uses this technique frequently. Most footnotes in “An Abundance of Katherine’s” provide an anecdote of a funny story/event etc. For example, the author writes something in French, and following that is the translation: “My name is Pierre. When I go to the metro, I also make fart music.” As you can see, quite humorous! Footnotes in this book frequently provide funny anecdotes.
Lastly, footnotes provide vital information. Colin constantly references historical events, math equations, etc. Footnotes can delve into what he’s talking about. For example, Colin works on a theorem that he hopes will predict the length of a relationship. He tries to describe what he is working on, but it can prove to be very confusing for the average reader. Therefore, he includes footnotes: “To get this variable, Colin took the two people’s average age and subtracted five.” There are many, many footnotes like this one that help the reader visualize/understand what Colin is talking about.
Overall, it is clear to see how in John Green’s “An Abundance of Katherine’s,” footnotes are used to provide clarity, hilarity, and vital information. Footnotes are an enormous part of the author’s craft in this book, and I don’t think that the book would be the same without them. At least for one thing, a lot of people would be very confused!
This was a really good and thoughtful blogposts. I have noticed that many posts are about symbols or the characters thoughts and feelings but this post was unique. It shows how you really thought about the book and what little things affected the book!! This post goes beyond authors craft because it isn't as broad as just authors craft. It gets into the little things. This was so insightful and you did a really good job. :)
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