Self-discoveries from confronting emotional experiences can lead an individual to re-evaluate the value of life through acceptance thus contributing to a change in perception of self and the world. Michael Gow’s play ‘Away’ depicts the necessity of individual discovery for its characters leading them to re-assess what is significant in life, influencing their personal connections and bringing change in perception. Similarly, in ‘The Red Tree’ by Shaun Tan, an unnamed little girl who is woken up with depressed life discovers hope and learns to accept the nature of life, and is thus able to gain freedom from the melancholy. These texts reveal the emotional pursuit of discovery and its’ impact on an individual’s perception.
In the text ‘Away’, …show more content…
Similar to the character Coral in ‘Away’, the protagonist of “The Red Tree”, who began her day with no anticipation for it, finds hope at the end and conduce to modify her perception of self and the world around her. This is evident through the juxtaposition of the cyclical structure at the beginning of her day in her room and at the end of the day back in her room. At the departure: “darkness overcomes you”, highlighting the impact of depression, and the catharsis at the end: “just as you imagined it would be” with a bright red leaf maple tree in front of her illuminated by the lights as she opens the door. Tan’s use of the motif of the red leaf represent ‘hope’ in the story, however was out of sight or reach of the persona until the end, representing the good things that exists for her however she was not acutely aware of it due to her lack of potential derived by her despair. Hence, self-discovery emerged from emotions or the state of mind can lead to a renewal of perspective of an individual.
To conclude, self-discoveries derived from challenging emotional experiences may enforce an individual to re-evaluate their values and alter their perspective about self and the world. This is illustrated through the text Away by Michael Gow, where character Tom learns to accept his imminent death and live life to the fullest which influences Gwen and Coral to re-consider what is significant for them leading to a more prominent discovery. The text ‘The Red Tree’ by Shaun Tan where an unnamed girl discovers hope after a depressing day, leading her to change her perception of self and the
In the text ‘Away’, …show more content…
Similar to the character Coral in ‘Away’, the protagonist of “The Red Tree”, who began her day with no anticipation for it, finds hope at the end and conduce to modify her perception of self and the world around her. This is evident through the juxtaposition of the cyclical structure at the beginning of her day in her room and at the end of the day back in her room. At the departure: “darkness overcomes you”, highlighting the impact of depression, and the catharsis at the end: “just as you imagined it would be” with a bright red leaf maple tree in front of her illuminated by the lights as she opens the door. Tan’s use of the motif of the red leaf represent ‘hope’ in the story, however was out of sight or reach of the persona until the end, representing the good things that exists for her however she was not acutely aware of it due to her lack of potential derived by her despair. Hence, self-discovery emerged from emotions or the state of mind can lead to a renewal of perspective of an individual.
To conclude, self-discoveries derived from challenging emotional experiences may enforce an individual to re-evaluate their values and alter their perspective about self and the world. This is illustrated through the text Away by Michael Gow, where character Tom learns to accept his imminent death and live life to the fullest which influences Gwen and Coral to re-consider what is significant for them leading to a more prominent discovery. The text ‘The Red Tree’ by Shaun Tan where an unnamed girl discovers hope after a depressing day, leading her to change her perception of self and the