Through undergoing a transition, an individual experiences the greatest obstacle, which leads to a discovery by the barriers we place on ourselves. The text reveals to us that the greatest awards comes from the greatest risk. Thus they reveal the inner truth and experience about the world around us, as we continue to grow throughout the discovery. The novel, ‘my place’, by Sally Morgan depicts. The truth of one’s women physical, emotional and spiritual events she discovers and explores her Aboriginality. Also, ‘Away; by Michael Gow, is a play that focuses on realisations within oneself which can uncover further discoveries of ourselves and others. Whilst pinpoints that death is an inevitable forces people to reunite and discover the inner truth and knowledge around the world.
These texts elucidate the motion of discovery by allowing us to reflect upon how our personal experience should be perceived as one of opportunities. In order to self progress, we are inevitably trapped within a cruise of challenges, risk and tribulations. Whatever path the individual choose to embark up upon physical, emotional or spiritual, all discoveries must face realities’ obstacles. ‘My Place’ highlights the importance of self discoverythrough life’s ‘ ups and downs’.
Through the sense of identity is fundamentalto the aboriginal experience as it underline the loss of identity was asignificant part of the Aboriginal experience and the need to regain thisidentity has been part of many Aboriginal people’s lives. Other factors thathave contributed to this sense of identity include an affinity with the land,and spirituality. In the beginning of ‘My Place’, Morgan uses motif to denote therecurring presences of a particular theme. When Sally first touch with herinner spiritual life, she infers that ‘ High thrilling sound…I couldn’t seethe bird call, but was there,’ and later on ‘ I heard the bird call..
..In myheart I heard it’. The motif of the bird call elucidates the strong connectionbetween the Aboriginal tribe to their land.
Thus, ‘My Place’ encourages theresponder to be hopeful when allowing themselves to transform, after selfdiscovering. Therefore, the ramification of the discovery elucidates us toexpand our knowledge on opportunities that life has to offer in order to attainself discovery. Similarly, In Away Michael Gow express that the greatestobstacle to discovery is the altitude and belief that we place on ourselves. Asthe title, ofthe play also asserts the need for discovery. By going away the characters areable to experience the need for discovery and as they return to their physicalenvironment in Act Five much has discovered their emotional self discovery.Three families make a physical discovery, to and from a destination – they “go away” to the beach.
Each destination/accommodation and mode of travelsignifies the social status of each family; this distinction is used to showthe physical and social difference between each group. For eg. Gwen and Jim’sfamily juxtaposes Vic and Harry’s family as they are more materialistic andtravel in a “new caravan” anddemoralizing Tom due to his social status. Hence, Gwen is introduced in theplay as harsh, manipulative and superior character, set in her ways withmaterial possessions. Due to her vow to ‘never to be poor again’ aftersurviving the depression year, bringing her to believe material possessionswill bring happiness. As Gwen begins herholiday with her family, a obstacle is introduced, the storm. The storm acts asa catalyst storm acts as her emotional reconciliation with herself andher family.
Whilst, it’s expressed as an metaphor for the healing between thefamily’s relationship as it’s spontaneous action has lead them to a suddenrealisation. As it strikes away Gwen’smaterialism perspective, isolating from the stereotyped parody of the suburbanhousewife, causing her to gain a greater understanding through her obstacles. Whilstit indirectly brings other families together, which Gwen faces the challengeand knowledge of Tom’s inevitable death and the pain and suffering his familyis going through. “We have this boy and we won’t have him for long. Andwhatever he does will have to be enough”.
This discovery of Tom’s illnessallows Gwen to understand the value of materials than family while discover theworld around her. Where she reviewed herself and her own growth anddevelopment. She expresses remorse “you must hate me” and Tom’sfamily reconciled. Highlighting that the greatest obstacle to discovery is thebarriers of belief and altitude we placed on ourselves leads to the transition.Following a chronological structure, ‘My Place’ is apost-colonial autobiography.
As, Morgan utilise the multiplicity of tonedvoices, to form one identity. Arthur’s voice encourages the responder andconcentrate the pride in his voice, when he made the mark “I’m a greatgrandfather and proud of it”. However, juxtaposes through repetitively andshamelessly yelling “I am black. Do you hear? Black! Black! Black!Black!” Gladys draws an allusion to her metaphorical conclusion, “Letme do what good I can, may someone else be waiting the same road as mine”.Likewise Gladys hopes that by confessing her story she is able to assist thosewho have stumble upon the same as her, to grasp the key and open newopportunities that the inescapable journey has hidden. Focusing, that Gladys isaccepting the barriers that were once placed and seeking a transition throughsharing the knowledge of her experience.
The initiation of challenging the obstacle leads to theindividual to discovery one’s self place, as we continuously seek a life filledwith opportunities and purpose. However, if we do not challenge our fears wewill not be able to learn, determine and discover the truth about who we are.Although life is a discovery, it is filled with risk and tribulations and thuswe have discover into the mature and stronger individual.
These texts revealthat discovers lead to the protagonist to challenge the barriers that concernour altitude and belief which guides the way to self discovery andtransition.
