Depiction of The World in a Novel The Story of Tom Brennan

The ‘Into the World’ concept invariably involves transitions into new phases, the venturing into new worlds and experiences in order to attain growth, maturation and internal progression. This concept is undoubtedly evident within J C Burke’s novel “The Story of Tom Brennan”, the June 2003 Who Australian Weekly feature article “Into Africa” and Michael Leunig’s animation “The Egg”. Through the use of a sophisticated array of techniques the composers are able to maintain high levels of authenticity throughout the duration of the texts, ultimately stimulating a more powerful response upon the audience whilst portraying the underlying notion that the experience of moving into the world can challenge an individual’s attitudes and beliefs.

The three texts implicitly demonstrate the inevitable reality that individuals must leave behind short term comforts and the safety provided by the old world in order to satisfy unmet inner desires. Burke cleverly depicts this concept through the symbolic gesture of the Brennans “Closing the front door of their home for the last time.” Through the use of precise timing, “4.30 am on Friday the 23rd of January,” coupled with the first person narrative allows a reflective and melancholic tone to be established, reinforcing this concept of sacrifice of the status quo. The fact that Tom was forcibly removed from his old world (Mumbilli) hints that he has left behind his family and friends in order to seek a portal to a new world (Coghill). Thus the notion of sacrifice can challenge the experiences of moving into the world and change an individual’s attitudes and beliefs.

Similarly, the composer of “Into Africa” challenges an individual’s attitudes and beliefs of moving into the world by juxtaposing Gemma’s materialistic old world which was made up of “comfortable surroundings, a nice home, B & B balls, V8 utes, and a typical country girls lifestyle” with her new world which included “ a two room hut made of mud and bamboo.” The use of descriptive language as well as mentioning these extremes in such close proximity cunningly evokes a sense of awe from the reader, thus enticing them to challenge their attitudes and beliefs. Also, the notion that leaving the old world carries an element of permanence is evidenced through the first person narrative “I got ditched for a spear throwing warrior.” The satirical, almost sarcastic tone suggests that the relationship between Gemma and her ex-boyfriend will not regenerate, reinforcing the notion of permanence. This effectively challenges the persona’s attitudes and beliefs, thus evoking a more profound impact upon the audience.

Leunig effectively depicts the notion of sacrifice challenging the individual’s attitudes and beliefs when the person breaks the protective shell of his egg, the egg symbolising protection, safety and security (the base of Marlow’s hierarchy of inner needs). As the persona is inside the egg, high camera angle shots are used, symbolising dominance, however as the persona leaves the egg, he appears to be pink and naked. The nakedness of the character is symbolic of the lack of safety and security provided when leaving the old world and venturing into the unknown. The changing camera angle to a low reinforces this. Also, the brushing off of the dirt on his arm acts as a metaphor for the brushing away of his past or old world and looking towards the future. This stands in stark contrast to “The Story of Tom Brennan” as the reviving energies of nature energies of nature allow him to feel “free and light.” Also the notion that a sense of permanence exists when leaving the old world is evidenced when the persona unsuccessfully attempts to piece together the shell of the egg. Sad music is used to establish a melancholy ambience, reinforcing this notion of permanence. Thus, the experience of moving into the world can challenge an individual’s attitudes and beliefs.

Leunig’s animation “The Egg” successfully cautions the audience of encountering a deceiving perception of the new world. As the persona explores the new world, the audience notice his drawing towards a red door. The colour red is symbolic of warmth, safety and security, and the use of soft harmonic music as he nears the door ultimately suggests that doors to new worlds, open up pleasant experiences and challenges the individual’s attitudes and beliefs. The use of the loud and sudden ‘heavy metal’ style music as well as a glimpse of graphic violence as the door is opened effectively shocks the reader into embracing the underlying notion, thus challenging the characters and responders current attitudes and beliefs, allowing them to question whether entering the new world is a risk worth taking.

To an extent Burke also cleverly depicts the concept of misconceptions by introducing Tom as a mentally frail individual who is unable to overcome his brother’s “fuck ups.”” I curled myself into a little ball, hid my head under my knees and let the darkness suck me into its belly.” Through the use of personification, Tom’s isolation from rest of the world is captured negatively evoking empathy from the audience. It is not until later in the novel that Tom’s story is revealed and he is referred to as “ a strong individual who is not afraid to hide his past.” Thus, by Tom building a greater understanding of his new world, his experience has challenged his attitudes and beliefs. Also, Tom’s relationship with his family was a major turning point within the novel. Tom builds a greater relationship with his grandmother, Daniel, his dad, Brendan and Kylie ultimately allowing him to build a greater relationship with himself. Tom’s shift in attitude has allowed him to progress into the world and ultimately challenged his current attitude, outlooks and perspectives, “You are everything. Everything.” This use of exaggeration display’s Tom’s overwhelming emotional love for Chrissy, thus reinforcing this notion of shift in attitudes and beliefs.

Also, the article “Into Afric” depicts the concept of misconceptions through the use of the first person quotation, “I went whoa yeah… Thinking it would be really easy to build a school, not knowing how hard it would really be.” Gemma’s experience of moving into the world has ultimately challenged her attitudes and beliefs. Likewise, the financial constraints faced by Gemma are symbolic of the existence of obstacles which typically accompany any odyssey into the world. “Up to 400 children turned up to be assessed…Only 10 can be taken in.” The use of statistics effectively shocks the audience reader into embracing the concept, ultimately enticing a shift in attitude.

Correspondingly, the social constraints faced by Tom Brennan are symbolic of the existence of obstacles which typically accompany the concept of into the world. The composer clearly utilises the Mt Everest climb a s a metaphor of Tom Brennan’s climbing away from his past fear, attitudes, outlooks, beliefs and perspectives. The climb has been instrumental for his progression into the world, and has allowed him to return to his “old” self. Thus, the experience of moving into the world can challenge the individual’s attitudes and perspectives.

Through the use of a sophisticated array of techniques the composers of the text “The Story of Tom Brennan”, the feature article “Into Africa” and the animation “The Egg” are able to maintain high levels of authenticity throughout the duration of the text, ultimately stimulating a more profound response upon the audience whilst portraying the underlying notion that the experience of moving into the world can challenge an individual’s attitudes and beliefs. a