All_I_Ever_Wanted

Significant experiences in peoples lives provide opportunities for growth and development. This statement exemplifies the concept of into the world where individuals follow the instinctive drive to travel different pathways whereby transition into new experiences shapes knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. This concept explores a central idea of character development as individuals are provided with growth and development through experiences. Into the world however can be further broken down into the central themes of relationships, identity in self and conflict, whereby through effective language features and visual effects, into the world is conveyed. This concept of into the world is evident in The Story of Tom Brennan by J C Burke and the related texts of Tales From Outer Suburbia and The Red Tree by Shaun Tan. Relationships is a central governing theme throughout the text where individuals attempt to make connections as they follow their instinctive drive for growth and development. For example Tom says “we had to take two cars ….. I was the sucker who had to go with the grandmother”. Through the use of first person narration and the itemising of his grandmother as merely an object, this explores the relationship as artificial, conveyed through the eyes of Tom Brennan. In contrast, however later in the novel Tom says “Gran’s gallery of saints were watching over us tonight, they were probably smiling, they may have even been thinking, what a nice family.” This quote of figurative language provided by personification explores the transition in relationship whereby through experiences his attitude, knowledge and beliefs are shaped proving to be enriching to character development, providing growth. Similarly, in the related text Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan, transition in relationships is effectively conveyed through lighting and colour palette. Through the contrast of opaque mellow colours to vibrant strong colours comprised with bright lighting, this explores the transition of the individual (Eric) as he breaks down the cultural barrier preventing relationships, enriching the overall growth and development. Identity in self is a central theme that actually permeates throughout the text as individuals overcome the nihilism of situations, through the transition of new experiences. For example, Tom says “Tomorrow' That’s when I felt my heart slip to the floor. That was the thing I couldn’t quite get my head around, there would be a tomorrow.” This powerful quote using personification explores the dislocation of Tom from himself due to the experiences faced. In contrast, however Tom says later in the novel “That morning we swam and loved each other, that was the morning Tom Brennan came back, forever!” This quote exemplifies the transition of an individual, as Tom finds identity with his self, exploring the idea that through experiences, opportunities for growth and development are provided proving to be enriching in overall transition of self identity. Likewise in the related text The Red Tree by Shaun Tan, through the use of bold colours, this juxtaposes between the real and abstract as further visually exaggerating images are deployed to convey the return of a little girl, where a change in perception leads to the finding of self identity. Conflict is a central theme that explores into the world, as individuals travel different pathways in transition through new experiences. For example Tom says “You stupid cow” directed at Kylie. Effective use of jargon explores the rising tension present, as both individuals attempt to integrate back into society through diverging pathways. This central theme explores the development of individuals, but delves deeper in illustrating consequential loss that can occur. In conclusion, significant experiences in peoples’ lives provide opportunities for growth and development. Through the central themes of relationships, identity in self and conflict, this explores growth and development as individuals, go through transitions. This is explored in The Story of Tom Brennan by J C Burke, The Red Tree and Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan conveyed through language and visual features.