MALOUF ESSAY:

It is Priams heroic act of visionary imagination that enables him

to transform his circumstances, turning that which is absolutely
unbearable into a sacred source of renewal
Release from the constrictions, whatever they might be, of our own life
and body into a dimension where reality is not limited to dailiness and the
laws of nature
(Malouf 2008)
The capabilities of the visionary imagination are immeasurable. They provide opportunities
for individuals to confront insurmountable situations previously feared and avoided. It is
through the power of the imagination that we are allowed the ability to reform and be moved
by the thought of possibilities. It is the simultaneous act of seeing and creating, which
enthuses a transformational bridge between mind and matter. It allows humans to find a
vigorous feeling, distinguishing energy both as spirit and as a physical element. David
Maloufs Ransom exemplifies the abilities of this visionary imagination, enabling a
transformation of an unbearable situation into one encouraging a sacred renewal.
Through the characters created by Malouf, readers come to understand how severely
enmeshed humans become with self. Malouf explores this notion, identifying the importance
of vision in breaking this engrossment and channelling revelations in life. Malouf gives
authority to Priams character, making him the central power to the novel. His visionary
imagination allows him to foresee a world which expands from the physical. It allows him to
look beyond the fearful physicalities in life and confront matters which offer opportunities for
growth and emancipation. He comes to a recognition that life is about Chances, and is not
primarily reliant on the Gods. His interaction with other characters demonstrates his abilities
to look at ways of life in strange and unfamiliar ways. In particular, the ordinary man, Somax,
gives fundamental reminders of the small matters overlooked by Priam himself. It is this
experience that has encouraged a transcending of objects into something he appreciates much
more than before. Suggestively, it is Priams visionary imagination which helps him discover
new meaning of life, transfiguring his frightening situation into one which has provided a
sacred renewal.
Death is represented as a paradoxical matter in Ransom, highlighting the connection between
birth and death. The inabilities to live without being fearful of death at the end are ostensibly
preoccupying thoughts facing every human. Malouf transfigures these views through Priam,
identifying death to be an opportunity for rejuvenation and sacred renewal. Responding to the
murder of his son Hector, Priam faces his initial fears of trusting nature (p.48) and
enthusing him to seek Ransom. His family maintain their particular focus in maintaining their
regal status, and disregard the needs of Priams grieving state. Despite his familys inabilities
to accept the situation, he follows his visions seemingly directed by Goddess Iris. She is the
catalyst who invokes attitudes that encourage taking risks beyond situations he is familiar
with. It is through this leap to seek Ransom that we come to understand the power of the

imagination as a means of escapism. His thoughts encourage him to overlook what normal
humans would consider to be a completely disgraceful murder, instead welcoming it as a
renewal of self. Priam suggests that we must break the knots were all tied in to resort to
something impossible, to something new (pg 58). He has come to the realisation that we are
often completely engrossed in the lifestyles we live, and in result dismiss opportunities for
rejuvenation. It is his powerful visions which provoke him to embark upon a journey that
reunites him with his true self.
Throughout the novel, Gods appear to be extensions of the human self, rather than
omnipotent Beings. Visions which are seemingly connected with Goddess Iris are primarily
the cause of Priams sudden motivation to seek Ransom for Hector. What we would often
relate to a dream is interpreted by Priam as a sign to move forward and take the chance of
life. He risks everything he has including his reputable status, relationship with his family
members and, in particular, his life. The Goddess Iris provides lessoning which highlights and
implies that not all human agencies are fated by the Gods. He is living in a world which is
also subject to Chance (p.46), not one which has clearly set out boundaries. What Priam
learns is the restoration of self which can eventuate from trusting fate. His dreamlike spell
has left him entirely restored with spirits thriving within his sole (p.47). In response to
this, he embarks on a dangerous journey into the village of corrupted Achilles to seek
Ransom for the tormented body of his son. Despite his familys disapproval, stating it to be
folly (p.59), Priam justifies the situation claiming it to be an opportunity to take a chance
and break free from always being the hero (p.59). His visions offer him a chance to
recognise his capabilities of achieving the unthinkable, despite his wifes reminders that his
not just any man (p.59). He is living in a world rich in accidents and chance at the mercy of
hazard. It is through his visualizations which immediately draw freedom (p.59), feeling as
though he is capable of doing something impossible. Chance becomes a common motif in
the novel, connecting Priams visions to his initiation to take a risk and explore the
commonalities of life with open perspectives. As a result of this, Priam essentially becomes a
satisfied being with a sacred renewal.
Priams spiritual development is essentially in correlation with his interaction with both
Somax and the Gods. As mentioned before, these are the primary sources which initiate
Priam with a chance for spiritual rejuvenation. What he gains from taking these risky
opportunities is a transformation of an unbearable situation into one which has encouraged
the freedom to discover self on a new level. He is able to reconsider his initial attitudes on
life, and relies on fate to get him through his fears. It could be suggested that Priam has
recognised the impact destiny can have upon oneself, that is, an entirely rejuvenated self.
Priam realises that there may be opportunities of new openings, and the opportunities to
act for ourselves, to try something that might force events into a different course (p.61). This
differs from the Greek Gods central beliefs on a cyclical life, with no opportunities for new
form and discovery. Malouf subverts this core belief, centralising Priams hopes to succeed
on a life full of Chance. He empowers Priams visionary imagination, demonstrating its
ability to be fluid, transforming self into something new and spiritually enthused.

Maloufs creation of the character Somax is considerably the most viable and effective
element in the novel. Somax is the bearded, shaggy-headed fellow (pg.47) who drives the
plain wooden cart (p.47), suggestively a normal working man with valuable knowledge and
life lessons. He is primarily a source of wisdom, forming a relationship with Priam reminding
him of the ordinary feelings, requirements, desires and wants of man. Priams supposed
entrapment in a world surrounded by hierarchy and status disables his ability to appreciate
life for what it is. Before this journey he has no opportunity to look beyond his busy royal
sphere (p.122), as he was fixated in an attentive state based on himself. Through the small
lessons of Somax, Priam is initiated with a world where small activities (p.122) are
appreciated. He rediscovers himself through the opportunities allowing him to interact
intimately with the surrounding world. Priam comes to a realisation that an ideal world can
overwhelm the incidental and ordinary (p.124). It is through this detection that Priam is
granted a sacred renewal to live a life where everything is just itself (p.124). Beyond these
externalities, he learns to connect with a simple man. His spiritual development is in response
thriving from the opportunities to indulge with the environment and its surrounds. He
describes moments such as paddling his feet in a stream as an opportunity to become clear
and lightened (p.117). It is almost as if he is dehumanising himself in a way which opens
opportunities for self gratification and spiritual renewal.
Priams confrontation with death, gamble with Chance, and intimacy between the Gods and
Somax essentially opportune him to seek a spiritual rejuvenation. What is explored is a
natural cosmology which is presumably forgotten in a world embedded by royal dignities.
Priam allows himself to look beyond his centralised figure into a world where appreciation of
the simple is recognised. Initially, it is the death of his son which evokes him to seek Ransom
and do what others considered absurd. Priams visionary imagination allows him to see the
situation as an opportunity to break away from normalities and follow the chance of life. His
interaction with Goddess Iris encourages him to break from his egotism, and realise the
potential for life to offer spiritual renewal. Priams heroic act of trusting his visions result in
the means of finding true self within the simplicities of life. He has transfigured his
seemingly narcissistic, representational life into one where life was as it is* ?. Priam
appreciates the small matters which essentially create opportunities for a spiritual renewal.
His new outlook on life allows him to convert the presumably frightening situation of seeking
Ransom for his son, into one which has boosted a spiritual rejuvenation of self. In turn, he is
at one with nature with a revised sense of self.

References:
Malouf D. On Experience. (MUP 2008).
Malouf D. Ransom.