The_Story_of_Tom_Brennan

how young people develop and find their place in today’s society. This is shown through the concept ‘into the world’ which helps young people to grow up, mature and move on, as it refers to the way that a person’s attitude and beliefs affect how they see life. The novel “The story of Tom Brennan” by J.C Burke shows how Tom, the protagonist, struggles to cope with his past. Whilst, the song “On my Own” by Three days grace, refers to the way someone can be lost and have to learn to stand on their own two feet and overcome obstacles. In J.C Burke’s novel, ‘The story of Tom Brennan’, we learn that one small mistake can have major consequences, the protagonist, Tom, realises this when his family was forced to move, “far away, so as not to remind them of their pain.” The life that tom and his family now lead is affected by the prejudice that has forced the family out of their home town Mumbilli and into Tom’s Grandmother’s house in Cogs hill. Tom is then made to cope with the inevitable and move ‘into the world.” The use of the first person’s perspective enables us to understand Tom’s personal Journey, as he “deals with himself” and informs us that he has, within himself, neglected to form an emotional balance, which would help him adjust to the world that he has been forced into. The first person perspective enables us to relate to his personal experiences, which we, ourselves acknowledge through the continuous flashbacks which take us into the depths of Toms past, but particularly to the time where it all started, to the horrific accident and to the end of Tom’s life in Mumbilli. But towards the end of the novel Tom Also takes us to a more peaceful place in his mind, which is metaphorically shown through “the sound of leaves and twigs snapping under his feet echoed into the night sky.” This describes the Quiet of Toms surroundings and the peacefulness that follows. But as Tom becomes more and more lost in himself he drifts into a state of despair and depression, which has been symbolically been introduced through the constant mentioning of Darkness. Metaphorically Tom names his bedroom ‘the cave’ as it refers to a Dark place where he can hide from the situation and block himself out of society. Toms attitude soon changes when he is given the advise to “light up the dark if you follow your heart.” this not only is symbolically suggesting the light at the end of the tunnel, but is a colour contrast that relates to Toms sexual encounter with Chrissy, who shows him the light and helps him to move into the world.