Studying The Concept Of Inner Journeys English Literature Essay

A journey is defined as the movement of one place to another. The concept of an inner journey is similar in that it is also a movement or growth to maturity in an individual because of challenging and inspiring experiences. By studying texts we can explore the way individuals go through a journey of the mind and spirit.

This journey involves exploration of the self which leads to growth and development. It involves challenges and obstacles which are confronting but things can be learned from those experiences allowing them to grow mentally and spiritually.

The texts, ‘My Place’, and ‘Looking for Alibrandi’ present this concept of inner journeys. The main characters face change and growth which leads them to knowledge of themselves, others and the world.

‘My Place’ written by Sally Morgan is an autobiography and is set in contemporary Australia. This text is about Morgan’s journey to understand her heritage and her place in Australian society. It’s her search for identity which starts her on an emotional and spiritual journey.

An inspiring or tragic event can start an individual’s inner journey. With the death of Sally’s father ‘fear had suddenly vanished’ which leads her to discover her Aboriginal heritage. The themes of discovery of the truth and discovery of character are explored. These messages are shown through the use dialogue and the use of pronouns. Sally sets off on her journey to find “our family history”, as time passes, she says, “Now we children are getting older” and with more questioning the truth is revealed and she declares, “We had an Aboriginal consciousness now”. Colloquial language is used to show us the thoughts during the journey and helps make the reader connect with the author and adds realism. The reader can see the process of growing spiritually as well as physically which is part of ones journey.

As soon as Sally and Gladys visit Corunna Downs they discover a sense of place. The effect of this self-discovery is shown through Morgan’s use plural pronouns, such as ‘We have a sense of place now’ and ‘We belong now’ and shows us how her inner journey has changed her. Also the repetitive use of the word ‘now’ suggests a change has taken place. ‘We were different people now. What had begun as a tentative search for knowledge had grown into a spiritual and emotional pilgrimage.’ This is a major event that has made them feel whole and made them realise that they are coming to the end of their journeys of self discovery. Morgan’s journey to find the truth about her heritage has made the responder reflect and understand that identity and place is very important to the individual.

Sometimes, other individual’s experiences or thoughts can help a person realise their own journey. By interviewing her mother Morgan uses her family’s narratives to help her along her inner journey, such as when Gladys says; ‘All my life, I’ve only been half a person’. By keeping her children’s real identity a secret it made Gladys feel less of a person. When Morgan reflects on what Gladys says she understands and realises her own identity- that she is Aboriginal and she feels like she is a whole person. By listening to others views it can help an individual on their own journey.

Also when Gladys says; ‘Let me pass this way but once and do what good I can. I shall not pass this way again’ she shows empathy and shows us that this is her philosophy of life. She is comfortable with where she is going. Other people’s journeys can make an individual reflect on their own emotional and mental maturity.

Throughout one’s journey an individual can discover many qualities in themselves that help them get through. Morgan discovers that she is strong, determined and resilient and that these are the qualities that start her on her journey and help her when she faces difficult times. By looking at the author’s character the responder understands that the more one realises their good characteristics the more confident they become.

The Bird Call chapter is a very important stage of Morgan’s journey as she reflects on her Nan’s story. Through Daisy’s dialogue the reader understands that obstacles prevent individuals going on their own journey. Repetition is used when Daisy says “Me, I had been scared all me life, too scared to speak out”. Morgan realises that fear prevents Daisy from speaking out. The responder understands that sometimes obstacles which are made by the individual need to be overcome so that the journey can continue.

During Daisy’s illness Sally and her sister talk about where they are and what they have achieved on their inner journeys. Jill says ‘We’re only just coming to terms with everything, finding ourselves, what we really are…’ Sally replies; ‘We’re all really changing’. The author uses dialogue and plural pronouns in the dialogue to engage the reader and make them connect with their feelings of pride and achievement. The reader is aware that people change and grow and that their journeys continue because of these changes.

After Daisy’s death a bird is heard and Morgan uses emotive language and direct speech to show that she is on her journey. “Oh Nan,” I cried with sudden certainty, “I heard it too. In my heart, I heard it.” The bird call is important because it is regarded by Aboriginal people as a sign of imminent death. The bird call has made a connection with Morgan and it has made her realise her Aboriginal identity and the reader can see this by the emotion in her voice. Morgan has accomplished an inner journey and feels fulfilled at this moment. The responder can see that positive outcomes can be achieved on inner journeys by overcoming obstacles.

In Morgan’s journey of discovery, themes of identity, discovery and survival are explored. Morgan kept asking and kept looking for the truth and it was her persistence that started and ended her journey. Her mother’s and Nan’s stories help her have an understanding of her heritage and her place in Australian society. By the end of her journey the author is a wiser and a more accepting person because of the challenges she faced and from the inspiration she received from her family.

Studying ‘My Place’ has made the responder understand that having characteristics like strength and resilience can help an individual go forward on their journey. The Methods used to find ones identity such as interviewing and recording family history is important as well as helping an individual reflect on their own journey.

Finally, the text has made the responder think about the importance of family history and about how important telling the truth is so that a person can grow. Not knowing the truth and being lied to can prevent an individual from making an inner journey. These are obstacles that can be overcome so that a journey of the mind and spirit can be completed.

The second related text is the film, ‘Looking for Alibrandi’ by the director Kate Woods. The protagonist, Josephine (Josie) Alibrandi, narrates her story while she is in her final year of High school. She attends a wealthy Catholic school in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on a scholarship. In the text ‘My place’, the main issue is about identity and it is also explored in this text as Josie struggles with her Italian-Australian background against her peers who are of Anglo-Australian heritage. ‘Alibrandi’ also explores the theme of discovery, as it does in ‘My place’ where Josie finds out the truth about her family, her father in particular. The theme of change is also explored where characters change in perspective as they go through challenging experiences. This text is about Josie’s understanding her heritage, and her place in Australian society. It’s her search for identity which starts her on an emotional and cultural journey.

There are several events that occur during the film that help us to see the way that Josie develops and changes over the course of her journey. In the opening scene which is ‘Tomato Day’ Josie is ashamed and embarrassed to participate in the family and cultural ritual. She doesn’t see herself as belonging there. She talks about her future, and about not really knowing where she fits in to society. The theme of cultural identity is shown to us through the use of costume and the style of the film. Cinematographer Toby Oliver says that they wanted to produce a visual style which was similar to the work of the Italian film director Federico Fellini. A sepia tint was put over the colour cinematography to give the film a nostalgic look, so that even though this is a portrayal of a present-day activity it is implying that that it is an old Italian tradition.

Oliver says; the film was based on “some of the stylistic elements on Fellini’s work, and Italian films of Fellini’s era. The Tomato Day scene is a great example of that Italian style of filmmaking” where parts of it seem “semi documentary but at the same time deliberate and controlled, with the long shots that move from one group of people to another…” This visual style reflects the Italian culture that Josie is ashamed of.

To continue this theme of cultural identity the tint disappears as soon as Josie appears and her voiceover makes the viewer know her feelings: “‘This might be where I come from, but do I really belong here?” The director uses dialogue and personal pronouns to show us that Josie’s is not connected with her culture and to draw the viewer in so that can relate to her story. This event shows us the beginning of Josie’s journey of self discovery, her doubts about her family, her culture and her future emerge through this event.

Another important event was Josie meeting her father for the first time. At the beginning of the film Josie says that fathers seem pretty useless, and that she is happy to do without hers. Meeting him has a profound impact on Josie’s life.

The director uses a fantasy sequence to demonstrate this important development in Josie’s journey. After getting Josie out of trouble at school, the stained glass window in the stairwell at St. Martha’s changes to reveal Michael as an angel, rescuing Josie. Light builds behind it, making it almost a biblical miracle. Josie realises that he is a part of her that she never knew anything about and that half of her family history has been missing. On her journey Josie realises that a relationship with her father is important and also see that the support and advice of her father might help her. The viewer can understand that not knowing the truth about a parent can make an individual feel like a part of them is missing. Also it is very important to have a father figure for advice, different perspective or financial support.

The last scene of the film takes us to ‘Tomato Day’ a year later. This event signifies how much Josie has grown and learnt over the course of the year. Josie is much more secure in who she is, and accepts that her family is an important part of who she is. She embraces her family and their traditions, and she knows and appreciates where she belongs. “I know now that what’s important is who I feel I am.” She finally we know she is happy here as she asks Nonna for a dance. It symbolises the way they have resolved their differences. ‘I’m Christina and Michael’s daughter and I’m Katia’s granddaughter. And we’re not cursed, we’re blessed.’

Self discovery is very important to developing and maturing and therefore helping someone on their journey. Josie finally finds her true self through the help of other characters, such as John Barton. Before she was immature and made generalisations. She says of her peers, “all the other students in the school are in clone groups”, however as she continues her journey and begins to understand her identity she says “if someone comes up and asks me what nationality I am I’ll look at them and say that I’m an Australian with Italian blood flowing rapidly through my veins”. Repetitive use of the first person ‘I’, suggests that she is more confident. Through her relationship with others Josie realises there are other views of life. When she sees how much pressure John is under she starts to be less selfish because he is much worse off than she is. John’s suicide really changes her and makes her think about what she has.

This visual text shows us that Josie is really on a journey of discovery all throughout the film. This journey reveals a lot about herself, her family and the lessons that she is to learn in her life. Josie deals with these issues of truth about her father and grandmother and suicide and makes her a wiser and more mature person. Self discovery is an important theme in the text, without it Josie would not have discovered her identity.

The viewer understands that while trying to face conflicts in life it may help them find their own identity. Other characters whether they are friends or family can help change their views of others and of the world. The responder understands the concept of inner journeys provides opportunities for the individual to have a better understanding of oneself, other individuals and the world.

In conclusion, by studying the two texts we can see that individuals can take inner journeys by finding one’s identity, searching for the truth of one’s heritage, or by experiencing traumatic events such death. All these experiences have allowed the characters to change and grow which leads them to knowledge of oneself, others and the world.

It has changed the responders understanding of oneself, as an inner journey will let them gain some personal experience that will help them become wiser and more mature. An understanding of other individuals will come when relationships are formed and knowing about political issues in society will also help them understand the world.