Changes_Negative_Effects-_Judith_Wright_and_Shaun_Tan

Kristy Jacobs Ms. Rae Humanity and thus our world and environment are inevitably predisposed to change. Particularly in our age of modernity where change is such a necessity one might label it progress for progress sake, we can often lose sight of who or what pays for these changes, the drawbacks and discomforts they always have for some. Changes negative consequences often go unnoticed but much of society’s progress has or has had significant draw backs and discomforts for the environment, our history and on people as individuals. The poems “Sanctuary” and “Bullocky” by Judith Wright and the picture book “The Arrival” by Shaun Tan deals with each of these losses individually shaping through various techniques the drawbacks and discomforts consistently accompanied by change that often go overlooked. Environmental loss is a severe drawback of change. People can be blinded by the benefits of societies change and progress and thus often forget to consider the draw backs and discomforts that are occurring to our natural world as a result of these adjustments. Judith Wright uses her poem Sanctuary to criticise the nature of society’s untameable need for change, and through symbolism, irony and powerful imagery forces us, as the readers to acknowledge the drawbacks change is having on the environment as Wright asks - at what cost is progress' Powerful symbolism and metaphors are used through out the poem to convey the extent of the change and in so doing the danger it poses to our natural environment. “Sanctuary” is centered around a road that “sweeps on and cannot wait”. An extended metaphor for progress and change, the personification of the road demonstrates the continuity and impatient nature of change in modern society. This shapes the idea of natural and cultural disintegration to make way for the human progress, a clear drawback of change. The connotations of “sanctuary” as a safe haven is in ironic contrast to the actuality of what is described in the poem. “Flat skins pinned to the road of possum and native cat” is strong imagery of road kill. In a place of “sanctuary” this is blatantly ironic forcing the reader to delve deeper into the poem. Sanctuary is supposed to be a reserve for nature “trees, not houses” but in actuality a sign is all we can offer nature as means of an escape from manmade constant change and progress. Through symbolism and strong imagery Judith Wright shapes change as continuity in our modern society, highlighting the drawbacks and discomforts on the things that fall behind in this case our natural environment. The poem Bullocky by Judith Wright deals with a different aspect of loss as a result of change to that of Sanctuary. Over time we have transformed our society and carried away with change we can lose our history- a significant drawback to our culture. However, Judith Wright uses this poem to acknowledge the pioneers of Australia and thus appreciate people like the Bullocky who effectively sacrificed themselves to create the change that brought us to today. Judith Wright’s clear cut stark imagery repaints the Bullocky’s journey of sacrifice vividly allowing us to almost relive his discomfort. “thirsty with drought and chilled with rain” paints an environment of extremes, a discomfort to all Bullocky’s who worked to create change for Australia. Judith Wright effectively uses the structure of the poem to ascertain that no change comes without drawbacks or discomforts on someone’s part. By recreating the the Bullockys sacrifice to the cause and then describing society as we know it today shows that although there are no visible signs of draw back there were some. The arrival tells a much more personalised story of change tehn the previous two texts and thus give a different perspective into change. The arrival follows a man as he migrates into a new country seeking a better life and although ultimaly this is what he receives his change of lifestyle begins, as always, with draw backs and discomforts. An entire picture book with no words Shaun Tan shapes these discomfots through colour contrast and visual symbolism. Although the book is quite monochromatic is uses tones ot convey moods and emotions. Before the man moves away the books pictures are more illuminated giving a snese of happy and security. In contrast when the aman walks off the boat into a new land Blah blah blah