Into_the_World

What do the texts toy have studied have to say about the new experiences which lead to growth and change' New experiences and challenges can offer different knowledge, attitudes and beliefs as people experience an ‘into the world’ journey. People cope with the transitional phase of their lives in many different ways and it can bring about growth and change. Stephen Daldry’s film “Billy Elliot” and my related text “looking For Alibrandi” the novel by Melina Marchetta, both demonstrate different pathways their protagonists transverse on their movement ‘into the world’. Stephan Daldry explored throughout his film that Billy’s experience leads to growth and change, but came with many challenges that had to be over come. The main barrier Billy encountered during his journey ‘into the world’ is symbolized by the metal cage found in the boxing hall. We see Billy’s father watching Billy dance for the first time from behind the cage. His placement behind the cage and camera shot with no one else in it, symbolizes the distants in the relationship between him and Billy. The symbol of the cage is again represented when Billy see’s the ballet class through the cage door. The cage, combined with the clear light over the dancers, symbolizes hope for the future and position in another world if Billy has the courage to place himself on the other side. Mrs Wilkinson is introduced and is identifiable as a “typical” dance teacher by her dress sense and mannerisms chain smoking. Her sense of humor, when she asks Mr Braithwaite to play “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow”, but then follows with “Fat chance”, implies a double meaning and irony that Billy might be her ‘fat chance’. The barriers faced by Billy also introduce the themes of entrapment. In the film all the characters and “trapped” in some way. They are trapped by poverty, lack of opportunity and stereotypical cultural values and attitudes. The Elliot family live in a society where individuality is denigrated. Billy becomes the victim of society that stereotypes the role of men and where expectations limit personal fulfillment. Even Billy, who longs to dance, dismisses ballet dancers as “poofs”. Billy must over come his own prejudice before he can more beyond the limitations of his world. “Billy Elliot” has to say that individuals need to embrace change in order to gain and experience a successful move ‘into the world”. My related text “Looking for Alibrandi” by Melina Marchetta supports these ideas explored in “Billy Elliot”.