Transitions In The Story Of Tom Brennan

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Transition of an individual is usually difficult; they face issues and challenges along the road yet are able to discover themselves better after the consequence. Transitioning can be confronting, exciting or even demanding. Tom Brennan, the protagonist in The Story of Tom Brennan is haunted by an accident and is faced with a hard transition, and as with the other members of his family, with the use of first person and colloquial language, J.C. Burke demonstrates the outcome of a transition can be resulted through new knowledge, a shift of attitude and a deeper understanding of one’s self and others.
The different pathways an individual takes influences the transitioning of their new life. The Story of Tom Brennan is a lucid text by J.C. Burke
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The motif and symbolism of the colour black is used throughout the novel depicts a state of despair for not only Tom but also those around him, he remembers the way he used to live back in Mumbilli and comparing his life at Coghill, Tom slips into a black tunnel. Tom now lives with fear and was initially frightened when he arrived at the car accident, knowing that two of his friends are most likely dead and with the thought that maybe his cousin, Fin is dead.Tom also fears that his mother, Theresa will not get out of bed ever again. Yet Tom Brennan takes a pathway different to his current self with fear and guilt and opens himself to a girl named Chrissie, also starts jogging with Brendan and also decides to start playing rugby again even though he knows him and his brother Daniel used to be the famous partners at rugby prior to the accident. Rugby is a symbol throughout the novel and symbolises fear when Tom has to play against his old team from Mumbilli but is also a way for Tom to find himself again. The hills Tom runs over every morning symbolises his struggle and journey. Chrissie is a character in the novel who Tom finds love in, and she helps him move on from the past “That was the morning we swam and loved each other and that was the morning Tom Brennan came back, …show more content…
She has isolated herself from her family much due to being emotionally fragile and throughout the novel she is shown to dislike nearly everything. She appears to be inconsiderate towards others and not being able to relate to how her family feels yet is able to show how she truly feels after realising she hurt Tom with her speech about the accident in Mumbilli. Kylie feels Daniel going overboard was partially her fault, she feels guilty as she involved herself with the romance of Claire and Fin. While Kylie shares the same sorrow with her family, she befriends Brianna and she is an important component throughout Kylie’s transition, as her home is a like a refuge to withdraw to when Gran’s house becomes too unbearable. She decides that helping Fin is the best thing for her, but has not been able to grow as much as Tom since she still feels a great amount of guilt and cannot let go of the

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