Rabbit Proof Fence: Physical Journeys Essay Example

inability to connect. As an audience responding to the context of these obstacles we become emotionally involved and are therefore bystanders as we are informed of the Europeans ignorance to aboriginal culture and therefore the plight of the aboriginals has moved beyond the film. This is also represented in the related text Mawson: Life and Death in the Antarctic, danger is a key element and obstacle as the events take place in and inhospitable environment.

The feeling of danger is generated through the narrator’s tone for example the descriptive phrases “terrifying events” and “shrouded in mystery” which is amplified due to the choice in narrator (male) allowing for deeper strength in pitch. This is used in aggregation with orchestral music playing dis-chords at frequent intervals while diegetic sounds of screams and trauma are also interwoven. Consequently this augments the feeling of tension and reality of the scene.

As responders we sympathise and generate respect for Douglas Mawson, and similarly to Rabbit Proof Fence we become bystanders of the journey Obstacles do not have to be static; they can be intellectual and created by the person themselves. This is a key idea occurring throughout The Wind and the Willows as it deals with the perception of journeys as they aren’t physically undertaken.

The caravan in the text is a dual symbol of positive and negative change, we see it’s negative form portrayed through Ratty e. “I’m not coming and that’s flat” obstinate tone and emotive language are representational of the fact that he is restrained to the idea of change, and therefore becomes an obstacle himself. It is seen that obstacles can be

traumatic or a reflection of self however they provide personal growth as inner strength and determination is vital in overcoming them. Inner strength and determination play fundamental role in the complexity of physical journey’s and can be seen to occur in both antagonists and protagonists. In The “Capture Scene” the perspectives of the protagonists and antagonist is shown.

Molly Daisy and Gracie are followed by a dolly shot as they run; Molly runs the fastest and is seen to be more resistant. This is juxtaposed by an alternative camera in the car with Riggs and as such his facial expressions disclose the willpower to seize the girls. The difference in the overall outcome of the text relies on motivation; from this we see one driven by an artificially imposed sense of law and duty, and the other driven by feelings intrinsic to being human and the ties that bind families and societies.

Similarly to “Rabbit Proof Fence”, Mawson: Life and Death in the Antarctic depicts the indomitable quality of the human spirit, not only in Douglas Mawson’s journey through Commonwealth Bay but the journey by Tim Jarvis and his companion who were inspired by the events. An interview by Tim Jarvis recounts they will “man haul a sled 500km for 6 weeks enduring starvation”. As the audio text is factual there is a greater sense of reality regarding determination as the audience experience admiration for the travellers and establish a stronger connection with the text.

The wind in the willows establishes a different form of determination, as Toad is driven to persuade his companions into adventure. We see this through sensory imagery

and also the alliteration of the quote “Dusty highway, the heath, the common, the hedgerows”. Dually the phrase “planned em all myself I did” indicates that in the context of English class, Toad’s shift in formal register is an attempt to communicate with them by stooping with them at a lower level of social class.

Toad’s alteration in tone throughout the text for example “…don’t argue – it’s the one thing I can’t stand”, suggest that creates an unwilling journey for his companions and therefore implies the idea that determination can be both positive and negative. In conclusion, these texts have shaped my understanding of the concept and experience of physical journeys through the idea that they are multifarious, and contain obstacles that may be figurative or literal.

As such determination and inner strength derive from these obstacles and the act of overcoming them is a test of human willpower. However, it can be seen that the motivation behind some individuals’ determination can inflict negative impacts. Furthermore it can be seen through numerous cinematic, language and audio textual techniques that meanings are shaped to engage with the audience so that they themselves go on their own journey.