Jennifer
English AOS: Journeys
Composers focus on the importance of the journey rather than the destination alone. Journeys provide valuable learning experiences which enable self-discovery and help develop our understanding of the other people we meet throughout our journey. Every new self-discovery made leads to growth and maturity which provides new insights and experiences. The aspect of a journey providing valuable experiences are evident in Robert Cormier’s novel “After the First Death”(1979) and “Around the World in Eighty Days”(1872) by Jules Vernes.
Characters face challenges and obstacles throughout their journey and eventually learn to overcome them through self-discovery. In “After the First Death” the two characters Miro and Kate have different challenges, but when placed in the same situation gain new insights, experiences and their individuality. Miro’s portrayal as a naïve young man due to his lack of interactions with young women and “could not become accustomed to their blunt sexuality” makes him comparable to Kate. The depictive imagery of Kate through negative connotations in “those wet pants…her bladder and muscles there- always a weakness” feminises her character and puts emphasis on her vulnerabilities. By learning to overcome obstacles and challenges throughout one’s journey, self-discoveries made enable more insight and experiences.
In a progressive journey, self-discoveries, knowledge and maturity occurs. The linear chronology of third person perspectives of Miro and Kate contrast their previous characteristics of innocence and inexperience into characters with new insights and experiences. Miro’s earlier unwillingness to kill a female bus driver depicted in “but it turned out not to be a man” demonstrates his inexperience with murder. In his progressive journey, Miro discovers a new capacity for self-command and ruthlessness. The imagery in “he decided he would not waste a bullet but to use his hands” illustrates the brutalization he
Composers focus on the importance of the journey rather than the destination alone. Journeys provide valuable learning experiences which enable self-discovery and help develop our understanding of the other people we meet throughout our journey. Every new self-discovery made leads to growth and maturity which provides new insights and experiences. The aspect of a journey providing valuable experiences are evident in Robert Cormier’s novel “After the First Death”(1979) and “Around the World in Eighty Days”(1872) by Jules Vernes.
Characters face challenges and obstacles throughout their journey and eventually learn to overcome them through self-discovery. In “After the First Death” the two characters Miro and Kate have different challenges, but when placed in the same situation gain new insights, experiences and their individuality. Miro’s portrayal as a naïve young man due to his lack of interactions with young women and “could not become accustomed to their blunt sexuality” makes him comparable to Kate. The depictive imagery of Kate through negative connotations in “those wet pants…her bladder and muscles there- always a weakness” feminises her character and puts emphasis on her vulnerabilities. By learning to overcome obstacles and challenges throughout one’s journey, self-discoveries made enable more insight and experiences.
In a progressive journey, self-discoveries, knowledge and maturity occurs. The linear chronology of third person perspectives of Miro and Kate contrast their previous characteristics of innocence and inexperience into characters with new insights and experiences. Miro’s earlier unwillingness to kill a female bus driver depicted in “but it turned out not to be a man” demonstrates his inexperience with murder. In his progressive journey, Miro discovers a new capacity for self-command and ruthlessness. The imagery in “he decided he would not waste a bullet but to use his hands” illustrates the brutalization he