Discovery Essay

Various texts epitomize the notion of change and transformation through the
process of a discovery. Through countless themes, composers vigorously
convey how the process of discovery allows for the individual to change
progressively. This notion is employed in the play Away by Michael Gow which
explores the effects of new ventures and adaptations with the wider community
and their attributes towards this contemporary found change. Synonymous in
idea, Jeannie Bakers Mirror illuminates the transformative concept of
discoveries and the resulting impact these have on individuals. Both composers
effectively explore the concept of discoveries to bring about these imperative
changes that allows for the unveiling of ones introspection of themselves and
the society.
Discovery of self may be a collaborative process that triggers new
understandings of the individuals and their worlds. It is through these new
understandings that individuals are able to both reconcile with themselves and
the broader world. This concept is unveiled in Michael gows play away, were
gwen enters the transformative process and changes her attitude and values
towards herself and the broader world. Gwens character presents a collaborative
process which initiates change, no one asked them to come out to this country...
I will not have you hanging around with that kind of life. Her insensitivity and
ignorance dismantles her relationship with her daughter and others. This is
exemplified through the use of a high modal language and her pessimistic tone
which is employed to parallel her character with a prejudicial attitude.
Furthermore, as she is thrown into chaos by the storm, she becomes in close
contact and proximity with others were their comparison becomes the conduit
for discovery and re-discovery. This is evident through the actions of gwen as her
world is shaken and influenced by the destructive nature of the storm. Gwen is
faced by a storm which would act as a catalyst for change, the fairies return and
stage a spectacular storm. The employment of stage directions allows
individuals to view the cleansing process set into motion by the fairies through
the storm. The storm also symbolises illusion versus reality which enables gwen
to expand her knowledge of herself and she realises she must let go of her
materialistic trait in order to establish a new sense of understanding of the world
around her. thus, the collaborative process that individuals embark on triggers
new understandings of themselves and the broader society.
Discoveries can lead to new worlds, values, stimulate new ideas and enable
individuals to speculate about future possibilities. Discoveries aid individuals
and their society through new understandings and renewed perceptions. mirror
by Jeannie baker is an innovative picture book, comprised of two parts and is
designed to be read simultaneously. Reading it in this form allows individuals to
speculate a day in the life of each of the two boys shown on the cover- one boy
who lives in the Valley of the Roses in Morocco and another in urban Australia.
mirror explores the daily lifestyle of the two differing cultures, where Baker
uses the technique of mirroring to highlight similarities between the cultures
despite their obvious cultural and geographical differences. Individuals are

bought to discover new worlds, values and fresh understandings as the Moroccan
family enjoy their first home computer and on the other hand the Australian
family has bought a colourful handwoven carpet which is a reoccurring motif
baker has utilised. The motif connects the cultures as one and builds a long
distance relationship with the two families. The carpet represents a significant
aspect of the discovery process in relation to Michael gows away which explores
the stimulation of profound ideas as a result of the discovery process. The
process of discovery of different cultures allows individuals to become united as
one unique family and therefore be the mirror of each other. Thus, discoveries
lead the unification of ideas, values and beliefs in a society.
The concept of exploration is through unveiling truths that allow for both the
affirmation and question of beliefs and attitudes. These challenges and
affirmations work hand in hand in allowing for the assessment of self and giving
value to the collaborative process of discovery and re-discovery. Gows play
away exhibits the notion of discovery through several characters discovery of
self as they embark on a discovery which leads them to an innovative
understanding of themselves. This is further reinforced through the character of
coral, who is stuck in a static situation and she is unable to communicate with
the broad society. She internalised her pain and dialogue with others replaced by
internal monologue. Through the storms transformative nature it helps her to
change in comparison with gwen, Ill be good, Ill improve watch me get better.
Her transformative process is clearly identified through Gows employment of
truncated sentences and first person pronoun. She eventually withdraws from
her own world and becomes part of a new world where she is able to express
herself. Im walking....Im walking exemplifies that coral has accepted her
transformation and that her process of transformation is leading up. This is
shown through the use of anaphora where she accepts this transformation. First
person pronoun and repetition represents her personal aspect of a discovery and
she is leaving her past behind. Ultimately as individuals unveil truths and
barriers, it allows for the collaborative process of discovery and re-discovery.
In conclusion, Gows play away and bakers mirror accurately show a
distinctive connection on the main idea of the discovery process. Both texts
relate to the concept of discovery can lead to new worlds and values and allow
individuals to speculate about future possibilities.