A Critical Analysis of Worldviews and Themes in The Eye of the Sheep

This essay provides a critical analysis of Sofie Laguna's novel, 'The Eye of the Sheep,' focusing on the portrayal of Jimmy, a character with autism, and his unique worldview. The essay examines how Jimmy's perspective shapes the narrative, highlighting his ability to observe and understand the worl...Read More

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Examining the Different Worldviews Presented by Jimmy Flick
Sofie Laguna in The Eye of the Sheep narrates an extremely moving story via an
interesting point of view. The entire story is told through the voice of Jimmy who suffers from
the autism disorder. The most notable feature from the novel is the manner in which Jimmy
manages to balance the two traits, one of being a keen observer and another of being innocently
oblivious of things happening around him. Even though readers may be unable to relate to
Jimmy’s situation, they cannot help but develop empathy for Jimmy.
Through the worldview of Jimmy, we are able to understand what indeed what happens
to the autistic in our society. Anyone reading the text is compelled drop any stereotypes he or she
holds about the autistic. Evidently, Jimmy has two opposing personalities that are equally strong.
While he admits that he is at times too slow, he is also cognizant that he is at times too slow. He
concludes that “When I was slow I should have been fast, and when I was fast I should have been
slow.” (Laguna 32) This conclusion implies that Jimmy is indeed aware of self even though he is
unable to harmonize his traits. The novel persuades any reader to like Jimmy not because of his
victimization or his health status but rather because he has interesting insights about life. Jimmy
is not so keen even when people around him openly show their dislike. He does not feel the urge
to stay away from his father when he is drunk like his brother.
From the narration of Gavin’s, Jimmy’s father, background, Jimmy appears to understand
his father’s frustrations unlike fellow family members. Jimmy, though perhaps unaware, links

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the domestic violence perpetrated by his father to the conditions that his father grows in and
poverty in his own family. In my point of view, I believe that people’s behavior is more of
nurture as opposed to nature. I totally conform to Jimmy’s ideology of not disliking his father. I
believe that different stories shape people into wholesomeness and no one should be hated just
because of what they are. People ought to diversify their points of view to become more
accommodative of varied situations.
Generally, people tend to judge a person based on a single story without necessarily
taking into account the other stories that make him or her up. For instance the dislike levelled by
Robby against his father does not put into consideration that Gavin too grew in a similar family.
Another perspective that could be drawn out of this story is the habit of stereotyping. Clearly,
dealing with an autistic person does not have to be a painstaking experience. Paula understands
Jimmy very well and does not have to struggle while taking care of him. Paula does not buy the
idea of Gavin of viewing their son as a burden. She finds him interesting and an ideal source of
joy. Laguna manages to brilliantly craft a really absorbing story that triggers readers to rethink
their own place in life and how they treat others.

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Works Cited
Laguna, Sofie. The Eye of the Sheep. Allen & Unwin, 2014.