Looking_for_Alibrandi

Journey is a term that implies travel which can offer up new sights or experiences. The implication of a journey comes in many forms. It can be positive or negative in nature, physical or emotional. Regardless of the form this journey may take, it tends to consist of many challenges or barriers that have to be met before a final goal is reached. Most journeys have repercussions that last long after the journey itself has been completed, providing a benchmark for what life was like before the journey and what it was like afterwards. This is reflected throughout the novel through a variety of events that happen to the characters which influences their lives and changes their perspectives on it forever. Looking for Alibrandi is a novel which mostly deals with the concept of an emotional journey and its change on perspectives. Through a number of characters, the author demonstrates clearly the concept of emotional journeys and its changing perspective. Through various events, the author shows that change and change of perspective can be triggered by certain events and experiences over a period of time. It can be gradual and is a natural part of growing up. Every person faces their own perspectives, which is reflected in the novel mainly through the idea that adolescence is a time of rapid change. A key event in the novel that indicates an emotional change through journeys is when Alibrandi met her father, Michael Andretti. Initially, before she had even met Michael, she resented him. She feels that he abandoned her mother while she was pregnant. When she first meets him however she gets the impression that he is intelligent and a decent human being, though she doesn’t make it known to him. One day at school, Josephine gets into a fight with another girl Carly Bishop. Carly’s father threatens to take legal action against her and in the spur of the moment; Josephine says her father is a lawyer. After arriving at the school, her father unexpectedly and surprisingly resolves the matter and legal action was not taken. As Josephine is walking alongside her father, it is at this moment that she has an emotional change of perspectives towards her father. She likes the feeling of having a father figure. This demonstrates that change can be triggered through the concept of journeys and singular events that take place. Josephine’s father, Michael Andretti also faces a similar change in perspective of his daughter. When Michael first discovers that Josephine is his daughter he says, “I do not want to see her. I do not want to love her. I do not want a complication in my life.” He is very negative and does not want to have anything to do with her. As the novel progresses, Josephine and Michael begin to bond together and enjoy each other’s company. As time progressed, representing a journey in his life, Michael faced a change in his perspective on fatherhood. He is at first in denial and does not want anything to do with his daughter, but as certain events unfold, he wants to become a big part of her life and get to know what he has missed out on. Michael’s change in perspective is a gradual one. The text conveys an understanding of journeys as the novel progresses. It explores many aspects of the concept of journeys including that of emotional, inner and physical. These not only depict the aspects of the journeys that are undertaken but also often highlight the consequences and changes that result. Josie is essentially on a journey of discovery throughout the novel. This journey reveals much about herself, her family and the many lessons that she is yet to learn in her life. Her search for her own cultural identity is coupled with her struggle as a poor student among many wealthy ones. Josephine’s social journey is a major aspect of the novel. This journey demonstrates another major change in perspective towards her view of her own identity. Initially, Josephine believes that her appearance and ethnic background is the determining factor in her social acceptance. She also believes that because she is at a wealthy school on a scholarship and has no father she is looked down upon. When Josephine is told by a teacher at her school that she was actually voted school captain but was given the role of vice captain because they felt that she lacked the leadership skills and that her and her friends are in fact trendsetters within the school and are looked upon with envy, she has a sudden change of perspective on herself in regards to her social life. She has always lacked self esteem and was very conscious of what others thought of her, but gradually she had come to realize that she is actually one of the most popular girls in school which was a great confidence boost for her. This demonstrates her social journey throughout the novel. John Foulcher is a contemporary Australian poet. He is famously known for writing poetry as a result of life and its experiences. He tends to depict the essence of humanity and its violence, as well as pointing out that life has challenges which can never be overcome. His poems concern the people and the beauty and brutality of life and its journeys. This is evident throughout the novel and Josephine’s life as a school girl while she is poked at and teased because of her religion. These incidents are a reflection of society today and demonstrate the violence and suffering that happens in the midst of life.