Change can result in various consequences. These consequences can be positive or negative, they can be short term or long term and can impact on a group or an individual. Change, although it can be initiated by an individual it is more likely that there has been a catalyst, either someone helping you to change or certain circumstances that aid in the change.
"Away" written by Michael Gow is set to the background of post-war baby-boom in Australia at the same time Australians were preoccupied with Vietnam and the divisions within society. .
Through the use of elegant simplicity and a finely tuned sense of humour Gow is able to follow three very different families of their yearly holiday up the coast for summer 1967-68. The three families enthusiastically take their holidays to celebrate the New Year but separately due to their socioeconomic status. Gow cleverly uses the journeys of the three families to show the spiritual quests they undertake.
The themes of loss and reconciliation are uncovered as we meet each of the three families.
Coral and Roy, the highest in the social chain, are learning to deal with the loss of their son in the Vietnam War. This is the circumstance that results in Coral running away from her life including her husband Roy. Her obvious loss of reality is shown when he her husband briefly states "you're weirder then I thought." .
Gwen and Jim, the middle of our social ladder are also coming to grips with the unavoidable loss of their daughter, Meg. Although she is not physically going anywhere she is growing up and ultimately growing away from her parents. Gwen, a materialistic snide woman is forced to also come back to reality when a violent storm washes away all of her materialistic possessions. Gow uses a form of irony to show Gwen is everything she hated. This forms part of the catalyst for her change.
Vic and Harry, the bottom of our social ladder, are coming to terms with the prospect of losing their son, Tom, to leukemia.
