The ‘Into the World’ concept involves transitions into new phases, the progress into new worlds and experiences in order to grow, mature and internally progress. This concept is evident within J C Burke’s novel “The Story of Tom Brennan”. Through the use of a range of techniques J.
C. Burke is able to maintain high levels of authenticity throughout the duration of the text, stimulating a more powerful response upon the audience whilst portraying the essential concept that the experience of moving into the world can challenge an individual’s attitudes and beliefs.Different pathways influence the transition into new phases of life for individuals. New phases or experiences in life are inevitable for all individuals in the story of Tom Brennan.
This idea of new phases is common throughout the book. Tom’s adolescence is a time of great suffering and pain as he is distressed by the accident that Daniel was involved in and the impact it has had on his family. Throughout this time he is trying to find himself after the event that changed all of the Brennan’s lives.Tom begins to question what comes first in his life and what is really important to him.
His relationship with his new team in Coghill has helped him to come out of his shell and becomes an important symbol of Tom’s growing up. He starts to appreciate just playing the sport with his mates rather than winning all the time. Being a part of a team and supporting your friends takes precedence over winning now to Tom. The team helps Tom to bring out the person he used to be and the new person he will become.The team provides Tom with solid ground to stand on and his teammates give him new relationships and friendships for him in Coghill. The story of Tom Brennan demonstrates the reality that individuals must leave behind short term comforts and the safety provided by the old world in order to satisfy unmet inner desires.
Burke portrays this concept through the symbolic motion of the Brennans “Closing the front door of their home for the last time. ” Through the use of precise timing, “4. 0 am on Friday the 23rd of January,” coupled with the first person narration allows a thoughtful and unhappy tone to be established, strengthening this concept of sacrifice of the current situation.The fact that Tom was forcibly removed from his old world (Mumbilli) hints that he has left behind his family and friends in order to seek a portal to a new world (Coghill). As a result the notion of sacrifice can challenge the experiences of moving into the world and change an individual’s attitudes and beliefs.
J. C. Burke uses the technique of flashbacks to stimulate reader curiosity.Tom only has his flashbacks to before the accident and to the accident in the first half of the book when he is still coping and trying to overcome what happened with his brother, as Tom makes his transition into the world his flashbacks slow and finally stop and he realizes he must let go of his past in order to move forward into his future. Burke also cleverly depicts the concept of errors by introducing Tom as a mentally frail individual who is unable to overcome his brother’s problems. “I curled myself into a little ball, hid my head under my knees and let the darkness suck me into its belly.
Through the use of personification, Tom’s isolation from rest of the world is captured negatively gaining empathy from the audience. It is not until later in the novel that Tom’s story is revealed and he is referred to as “a strong individual who is not afraid to hide his past. ” By Tom building a greater understanding of his new world, his experience has challenged his attitudes and beliefs. Tom’s relationship with his family was also a major turning point within the novel.
Tom builds a greater relationship with his grandmother, Daniel, his dad, Brendan and Kylie allowing him to build a greater relationship with himself.Tom’s shift in attitude has allowed him to progress into the world and challenge his current attitude, outlooks and perspectives, “You are everything. Everything. ” This use of exaggeration display’s Tom’s overwhelming emotional love for Chrissy, reinforcing this notion of shift in attitudes and beliefs. The social restrictions faced by Tom Brennan are symbolic of the existence of obstacles which typically complement the concept of into the world. The composer clearly utilises the “Daniel’s whine” and the hill he and Brendan run climb as a metaphor of Tom’s climbing away from his past fear, attitudes, outlooks, beliefs and perspectives.
The climb has been influential for his progression into the world, and has allowed him to return to his “old” self. The experience of moving into the world can challenge the individual’s attitudes and perspectives. Through the use of a range of techniques J. C Burke is able to maintain high levels of reality throughout “The Story of Tom Brennan”, stimulating a more thoughtful response upon the audience whilst portraying the underlying concept that the experience of moving into the world can challenge an individual’s attitudes and beliefs.
