Have you ever thought that novels contain great ideas? That there is more depth to a plot than you think? The ideas presented on the surface aren’t the only ones, some novels need closer examination while others don’t require much to comprehend. “Violent gangs patrol the streets, feral dogs roam at night, and the oppressive stench from the abattoir lingers over the school.” Now doesn’t that sound interesting? In the novel, The Gathering, written by Isobel Carmody, mysterious and cryptic events occur that allow a foreign experience for readers. The novel allows the readers to see the parallel between life occurrences and events in the novel. It is evident that Carmody utilizes various literary techniques to portray the key themes of change, corruption and courage in the novel. Dark secrets are revealed throughout the plot as the town of Cheshunt spirals desperately out of control. After Nathanial moved to Cheshunt, he instantly recognizes something is wrong, the atmosphere was very eerie and unwelcoming. Overall, the story is representative of a much larger and important event in history. The literary technique of allegory is utilized in the story in the lines of, “they acted like Nazis!” In the Gathering, the ideas of evil do not involve the systematic extermination of any-one however the insinuation of a community being ruled strictly by one dictator relates the Germans to the society in the novel. The first key theme I will be discussing is change. The theme of change is explored in the novel, evident through characters’ noticeable adjustments in behaviours, thoughts and decisions. It is evident in the novel that change is an underlying theme, due to Nathanial’s experiences, which ultimately alter his opinion towards another group member who he described to be a wolf. The connotation of a wolf is a demonic, brutal killer therefore the use of the negative comparison portrays Nathanial’s thoughts towards Danny. The