The role of fiction

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Fiction plays an important role in Kathy Stevens’ “This Is All Mostly True”. Specifically, Elsie's uses of fiction have different meanings and reveal various aspects about Elsie and her life.

Throughout the story, we notice that Stacie and Elsie share a passion for fiction and stories: “Stacie says I’m getting red hot at describing things and if she doesn’t watch it I’ll get a novel published before she does.” (ll. 50-51); “Stacie steals my ideas all the time but she asks me first and I always say OK. She sometimes steals the whole of me, to be a character in one of her stories. I don’t mind being stolen by Stacie” (ll. 70-72). Fiction, therefore, is a way for Elsie and Stacie to relate and bond.

Elsie also bonds with her father over fiction – specifically, over zombie films, which they watch together when Elsie’s mother is out: “Dad and I watch zombie films whenever Mum’s out with the girls (it’s our thing)” (ll. 5-6). In contrast, a reference to the fact that Elsie’s mother does not understand fiction (l. 70) – suggests that Elsie might feel misunderstood by her mother.

Elsie also uses fiction to escape h...