‘ For every person who welcomes change, there is someone who wants life and experience to remain unchanged’

Did you find this true of the texts you studied?

The above statement is extremely true, and clearly apparent in the texts studied. This can be perceived by understanding the fact that change may have a positive or negative impact on someone. This depends on the situation it arises in and how it affects the protagonist. Therefore, some people may choose to accept and welcome change whilst others may regret the changes they experience and long that their life and experience had remained unchanged. In this case we are dealing with self-change. This can be found true through an analysis of the texts The poem “In the Park” by Gwen Harwood, The poem “Father and child” by Gwen Harwood, The short story “Sky High” by Hannah Robert, Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ and the film “Cruel Intentions” by “Kevin Williamson”

The poem ‘In the park’ composed by Gwen Harwood presents a significant example of someone who regrets the changes in their life. This is understood as we observe the regret and disappointment the central character undergo

In the short story sky high by ‘Hannah Robert’ we experience two contrasting periods of a women’s life and witness how she has changed due to time and age. We are taken back in this women’s backyard as a child. Her pure, personality is evident as she describes her backyard as a wonderland “The best climbing tree stood proud”. The key focus of the poem is the washing line, which she brings alive; ‘the silver skeletal arms.’ Her innocent spirit shines when she claims to have “conquered” the washing line, highlighting her exhilaration for life. When we are taken back to the present, we see this carefree child has become a burdened figure who has changed physically, intellectually, and socially and has been absorbed by the duties of adulthood. She now views the clothesline for its real purpose. It is clear she wishes her life remained unchanged as she attempts to rekindle her youth ‘a small pilot light burning’ however, she realizes it would be ridiculous ‘too many things are tying me to the ground’. The fact that she remembers every detail of her experience as a child insinuates that she misses it. Both ‘Sky high’ and ‘In the Park’ relate to each other in many ways both central characters have lost their zest for life with age and time and have become trapped figures of adulthood and responsibility. They desire to go back but realize it’s ‘too late’ Instead of accepting responsibility and change as do the characters in Father and child they long for their life before.

The film techniques Williamson had adopted have been extremely significant in revealing Sebastian’s changing self. The first being a scene where Sebastian is composing a letter to Annette confessing his past mistakes. The camera shoots an extreme close up of Sebastian’s distressed face illustrating shame towards his actions. Through voiceover Sebastian highlights his transformation, as he is now honest and open. A tracking shot is then taken of Sebastian walking across the edge of fountain that is white and brightly indicating a renewal. However it is not until Sebastian courageously sacrifices his own life for Annette by rescuing her from an oncoming vehicle that Sebastian’s 180-degree transformation is officially evident. The music decreases in tempo whist the camera pans the cloudless blue sky suggesting Sebastian is now pure. Dialogue is also significant as Sebastian reveals a sensitive side telling Annette “I love you” Stage positioning is also pivotal as Sebastian is lying on the ground indicating vulnerability. A dollying shot emphasizes hand Sebastian clinging onto Annette signifying his need for support.

Some topics in this essay:
Gwen Harwood, Strong Imagery, Annette Sebastian, Island Cyprus, Cyprus Othello, Change Essay, Shakespeare’s Othello, Sebastion Valmont, Hargrove Sebastian, Whilst Madonna, central characters, washing line, short story, gwen harwood, ‘in park’, self change, central character, welcome change, past mistakes, father child, texts central characters, othello’s self change, ‘they eaten alive’, poem ‘in park’, life remained unchanged,