Many texts position readers to accept the beliefs and values of a central character. Texts may also position the reader to reject the values and attitudes of a character. Some texts such as "A Gentleman's Agreement" written by Elizabeth Jolly are not so clear-cut. In the beginning of the story we, the reader, are positioned to accept the "mother", the central character, as kind and generous. Towards the end of the story however, the mother's actions portray her as a cunning and deviant lady willing to do anything to make herself and her family happy. Through the use of narrative elements such as point of view and dialogue, the reader in this case is positioned to accept the central character's family values but we are also encouraged to see her as immoral and untrustworthy.
The mother's life of drudgery is represented through the biased narrow vision of the daughter. We are positioned to sympathize with the mother through the point of view and the dialogue. For example the mother says, "Thems not ready yet" and "Wait! Just you wait till I get a holt of you!" These phrases indicate the mother's lack of education and therefore, the reader is encouraged to believe that this is why she works so hard as a cleaner. This is supported by the fact that we see the mother through the daughter's eyes and the daughter continually refers to her mother's hard work. This sort of simplistic thinking is demonstrated through the mother's actions. For example when the mother was trusted to look after an apartment while the owners were away, she allowed people from down the street to come into the apartment to enjoy the pleasures rich people took for granted. She seemed unaware that she wasn't in a position of authority to do so. This basically happens at the start of the story and as we get towards the end we start seeing the mother in a more negative light.
Towards the end of the story the reader becomes more mistrustful of the mothers motives.
