In displaying this concept of ‘change’, Marchetta uses a first person retrospective narrative that immediately captures reader’s attention. The story is told through Josephine's eyes who is the protagonist of the novel. This allows responder's to see how the process of ‘change’ is working on her. Events are related as if they are happening at present, and Josephine speaks directly to the reader. At times the narrative stance of the novel prejudices the reader against different characters, but it also allows Josephine to pass comment with the benefit of hindsight. This allows us to concentrate on Josephine's perceptions of ‘change’ and how those around her influence it. Marchetta’s use of realistic and Italian idioms adds realism to the novel, as does her use of actual places. The novel boasts a high degree of verisimilitude. The plot of the novel relies on chance and coincidence and the realistic dialogue allows the reader to capture Josephine’s feelings and perceptions as she shifts her positions on problems positively and adopts ‘change’. The colloquial and informal language is effective in creating realistic setting.
‘The Door’ (Text 1) a poem by Czech composer Miroslav Holub explores the process and nature of ‘change’, encompassing many of the characteristics of ‘change’ witnessed in Looking for Alibrandi. Holub uses ‘the door’ as a metaphor to symbolise ‘change’ and the wealth of new possibilities arising from it. Moving through ‘the door’ suggests ‘change’ is a process of moving between two different realms.
Holub deliberately avoids poetic lyricism to present a laconic and semantically exact view of the notion of ‘change’. The word ‘maybe’ utilises Italics to emphasise the fact ‘change’ brings many unknown possibilities. The verbs “go” and “open” are monosyllabic and in the imperative mood, and command the responder to open ‘the door’ and adopt ‘change’. This is contrasted with the hesitant feeling of words such as ‘maybe’ in each stanza. The juxtaposition emphasises a change in tone, from imperative towards increasingly tentative. The effect of this is that the responder is given the impression ‘the door’ to ‘change’ has to be opened despite the fact what lies beyond it and the ‘change’ it brings is unknown. Assonance is used in the line “Go and open the door”, and the same line is used in patterning and repetition at the beginning of every stanza except for the last. These two techniques along with the caesuras in stanza two and four have the effect of forcing the responder to read the poem slowly and strongly and placing an emphasis on the line that contains the poets main theme. The last stanza is a coda, and suggests the main theme of the poem. We must think of ‘change’ as a ‘door’ to new possibilities and become dynamic. Venturing beyond ‘the door’ into unknown realms will always bring something new. Much like the situation in Looking for Alibrandi, the ‘change’ is a process and it is up to the individual to alter their perspective in the way they see and understand things, by opening their rationale to embrace ‘change’ and ensure positive outcomes.
The editorial ‘Changing the shape we’re in’ (refer to Appendix 4), written by Mike van Niekerk for The Melbourne Age, explores the same notion of ‘change’ as ‘The Door’, and Looking for Alibrandi. The editorial examines social, political, economic, and human kind changes from the 1920’s to the present. The editorial gives an insight into how people in the 1920’s felt as though they were at the forefront of civilisation. “Is it reasonable to question whether our thought processes and inner value systems can change too.” (“Changing the shape we’re in – Paragraph 5) The editorial then precedes to compare the 1920’s with the present and raises the question if anything can ever remain static and not experience ‘change’, including our thought processes and inner values.
The piece uses a number of conventions common to the editorial genre to shape the responder's view on the notion of ‘change’. The piece encompasses a persuasive purpose and is easily read as a result of its concise and flowing style. The headline of the piece “Changing the shape we’re in” immediately informs the responder what follows is an opinion that focuses on the notion of ‘change’. The body of the editorial begins with an argument that differs from the writer’s thesis that follows. This neutral and objective position naturally flows into the writer’s thesis, that is, his ideas about ‘change’. These ideas are argued and strengthened using recent studies, facts and figures to explain the scope of ‘change’.
The overall picture the responder is given suggests contemporary society is constantly changing, and we have no choice but to accept it, by becoming dynamic and changing our perspective so we can embrace ‘change’ positively.
Text 2b, entitled ‘The National Picture’, painted in 1985, uses Text 2a, a painting entitled ‘The Conciliation’, painted in 1840, to reconstruct a work which houses an entirely different meaning through the medium of photography. ‘The Conciliation’ painted in the period of early settlement in Tasmania, depicts a harmonious relationship between the Aboriginals and the early settlers as a successful blend of the races. The historical context of the work suggests the opposite. The period of settlement in Tasmania in 1840 was a time of murder and a destroyed way of life for the Aborigines. ‘The National Picture’ uses intertextuality and appropriation of ‘The Conciliation’ to create new meaning and to capture the relationship between Australian Aborigines and Australian’s man today. The responder expects to see cross-sections of attitudes, beliefs and ethnicity representing Australian society today, but through appropriation, an overt link has been created. This overt link distinctly shows responders that the turbulent relationship between Aborigines and a proportion of Australians has not changed greatly from 1840 to the present, and the need for reconciliation. Aborigines are still suffering but not afraid to fight for their rights and acknowledgment of past injustices. The appropriation of ‘The Conciliation’ in ‘The National Picture’ shows the result of an inability of groups to adopt changes in perspective positively, and the resulting futile outcomes which result.
The deliberative poll “Australia Deliberates on reconciliation for the 21st century: Where from here?” (Refer to Appendix 2) at Old Parliament House in Canberra, from the 16th – 18th February 2001, encompassed a representative sample of Australian citizens, Indigenous and non-indigenous deliberating about the process of reconciliation. They had the opportunity to discuss reconciliation – its historical roots and its future directions, with each other, and with panels of experts. Like the Text 2a and 2b the debate demonstrates the changing relationships between Aborigines and today’s society, and the need for reconciliation. It also shows how some attitudes have not changed. This must be sought through a process of ‘change’, where white Australian’s change their perspective on Aboriginal treatment to lessen the incidence of futile outcomes.
“Everybody must become involved in reconciliation, and non-indigenous peoples must seek out indigenous peoples, and listen to where they are coming from, because change will only occur through open communication.” (Campbell Anderson) The debate presents a direct correlation with Text 2a and 2b in the context of suggesting the ‘change’ process can be rapid and produce futile outcomes for those involved if it is impeded and not wanted. The two different text’s show that ‘change’ is a process, and a change in perspective will only occur through open communication with one another and by listening to the perspective of others and what values they hold. Parties influencing the ‘change’ must be dynamic in their rationale and working for a positive outcome towards those who are affected by their decisions to avoid fruitless consequence for those experiencing the ‘change’.
The texts discussed make evident that ‘change’ is a process that can have valuable or futile outcomes. The type of outcome resulting from ‘change’ is closely associated with the dynamism of an individual or group in their ability to open their rationale to changes in perspective. ‘Change’ allows us to move forward, and brings with it a host of benefits.
