Philip Malloy’s World: “Nothing but the Truth”

The Evolution of the Title

Originally, Nothing But the Truth was called Discovery. But the author (Avi) decided to revise it to its appropriate title, Nothing but the Truth. I feel that Avi decided to modify it because Discovery is not applicable to the story’s theme or the problem it exposes (the distortion of Truth, which can also be called a lie). The only “discovery” found in the book is that lies are everywhere, no matter how big or small.

The Ironic Usage of Truth

Nothing but the Truth is an appropriate title for this book because it represents how, ironic Truth is utilized and perceived in this book. Philip Malloy uses “anything but the truth” to explain and describe his perspective on his side of his argument. Avi has not only shown us how flawed our human nature is but successfully showed us how we are quick to choose a side. Why don’t we just act open-minded and listen to both sides of an event and argument? Well, that is because we don’t have the mental capacity to just change and flip to another side.

Philip Malloy’s Distorted Reality

Truth is distorted in many ways in the book at both Philip’s home and at school. At home, Philip manipulates and deceives his parents by saying things such as the following, “In school. This morning. I was singing “The Star Spangled Banner.” The teacher kicked me out.” Actually, the very morning that Philip was describing was not entirely true. Ms. Narwin said, “Is that someone humming.” Singing and humming are two completely different things. Philip’s reason to lie in a situation that he put himself in was because if you sing a song, you probably took the time to learn the lyrics. On the other hand, if you hum, you probably did not put in the effort required to sing an actual song. In addition, if Philip had said that he has to hum, it would not have sounded as if he was a patriotic student (which was the assumption of thousands of people that rallied against Ms. Narwin towards the end of the book).

The Deception at Harrison High

At school, the Truth is also deceived and distorted. For example, memos were constantly changing in meaning to the point where we, as readers, did not understand what really happened (even though we read exactly what happened). Philip’s disturbance later becomes “an attempt to draw attention to himself.” Then it was later implied that he was an inferior student that goes to Harrison High School. All additions made to the memos tried to prove the point that Philip Malloy is a student that is trying to manipulate rules. Rules that are a foundation for Harrison High. Rules that need to be followed. On a side note, The layout, style, and course of the book really contribute to the title’s name and interpretation of the story. This is because the author uses powerful words and repetition in order for us to question ourselves and the Truth. All of these components play out for a final product. And that product is just one question: what is the Truth of this story, and what characters are aware of it?

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