‘Conflict’ In “Face” By Benjamin Zephaniah

In some parts of the book, Martin is conflicted by other people. With Natalie, their break-up effects his confidence, her not feeling the same after the accident makes him feel like everyone will treat him differently. Martin: “Someone told me recently that you shouldn’t judge a person by what they look like.” Natalie: “And someone told me that it was human nature, just human nature, pure and simple and you can’t change it” This shows now Martin regrets his initial views on judging people as he’s now in that position. He knows that what people looks like don’t actually define who they are and people shouldn’t use that as a way to discriminate.

When Martin goes to the youth club, he is conflicted when Revered Sam implies he’s incapable now he’s scarred; even thought it hasn’t affected his brain or what he can do. “I have the same abilities I ever had – I just look different. If you can’t understand that, even with your hotline to heaven, then you’re mentally challenged – not me.” This shows that Martin is still fully able to stick up for himself and that being confronted like this helps him begin to get his voice back

When Martin first comes out of hospital he must face the world, and the judgements of everyone around him. He feels like people wont remember the old him and will now base opinions on his new appearance. “”I’ve counted weaker folk than me who look but cannot truly see” He’s conflicted as people who he used to call friends, and random strangers look and judge him without actually trying to know him, just by what he looks like. This helps in the long run as he earns who he is able to trust.

Martin is conflicted against society because of his face being different. He is annoyed at how others don’t look past his scars. “You have to talk to me and not the skin to holds me in” He is frustrated in people judging him without even knowing him and cant understand why people cant look beyond his looks now.

When Martin comes home, he is home alone and there is someone at the door and he has to come over his fear and face the world. Street Voice 1 – “ Panic could be anyone, could ignore it, the cowards way out, could be Nat, Mark or Matt, Have to answer it and Face the world It show that Martin has to FACE his own fears and overcome the challenge of facial discrimination

Martin has conflict inside himself as he has to become a whole new him and accept himself again So how, when the thing looking back looked nothing like me – could I still be me? Was I the same me, or a different me? A worse me or a better me? This shows he has to come to terms with the new face he has and how he will never look the same. And whether he’ll embrace this and be a better person or sulk about the fact he’s lost his old looks.