Overview, Context & Setting (Junior Cert English): Revision Notes

Overview, Context & Setting

Overview

The Weight of Water is a verse novel by Sarah Crossan. It tells the story of Kasienka, a young Polish girl who moves to England with her mother in search of her father, who has abandoned them. The novel explores Kasienka's struggles to adapt to a new life, dealing with bullying, loneliness, and the search for belonging. As she navigates these challenges, she finds solace in swimming and gradually builds new relationships that help her cope with her difficult circumstances.

Context

Sarah Crossan, the author of The Weight of Water, is an Irish writer known for her work in young adult fiction. She has a background in Philosophy and Literature and trained as an English and Drama teacher at Cambridge University. Crossan's writing often focuses on themes of displacement, identity, and resilience. "The Weight of Water," published in 2012, is notable for its** verse format,** which adds a lyrical and emotional depth to the narrative.

Setting

Gdańsk, Poland: Kasienka and her mother initially live here. It represents their past life, full of memories but also marked by Kasienka's father's absence.

England (Stansted and Coventry): The bulk of the novel takes place in England, where Kasienka and her mother move in search of her father. This setting highlights the challenges of immigration, including cultural differences, language barriers, and the struggle to fit in. Coventry, in particular, is depicted as a place of both hardship and new beginnings for Kasienka. The settings reflect Kasienka's emotional journey—from Poland's comfort and familiarity to the alienation and eventual adaptation in England. The contrasting environments underscore the themes of displacement and the search for identity and belonging.