My first text - ‘The Door’ by Miroslav Holub, emphasizes the positive side of change. The poem positions the reader slash audience to feel the experience of change and to embrace change. “The Door” is based on the idea of taking risks and embracing change. The poet uses a persuasive and insistent tone to encourage the audience to take action. The lack of rhythm, rhyme and conventional structure also give the poem a conversational tone. Imperative and figurative language and repetition work together and have been used to emphasize this positive attitude towards change. The poet uses repetition of the phrase "go and open “the door" as the opening line of each stanza to create an emphatic tone that implores the reader to take a chance, to leave their comfort zone and take on the outside world. The repetition of the imperative language constructs and creates a strong sense of not only urgency and necessity, but it also gives the audience a sense of the poet's voice and presence as he urges change. It demonstrates to us that change in self involves taking chances and highlights the positive consequences of change. Holub expresses change as an individual's commitment to embrace new opportunities presented to them, leading to a new perspective of life. The door, being the central metaphor and symbol of the poem, represents either a barrier; it holds us back from instigating a change. It is a gateway to new opportunities if the individual decides to take the initiative. In representing a barrier, it keeps us confined and limited, whereas an open door introduces new possibilities; therefore exposing ourselves to change. Furthermore the poem demonstrates that a change in self will result from experiences in which one encounters and will depend on whether the individual embraces the change. Does the individual wish to remain in the state thery are currently in or are they willing to explore new adventures.
At the beginning of the 17th century the poetry of John Donne expressed a strong and independent spirit. He combined in his lyrics of passionate emotional intensity with keen and active intelligence displayed in the forms of a logical analysis and verbal wit. This was especially shown in the extensive use of puns, equivocations, and conceit. Donne changes his perspective of the sun and ultimately his perspective on life as he realizes that his personal reality was more real and significant than the physical environment that surrounded him. In his poem, "The Sun Rising," Donne immerses the reader into his transmuted reality. In his address to the sun, he bids "the saucy, pedantic wretch" "go chide late schoolboys, and sour prentices," similar to an annoyed youth pleading for more sleep. His reference to the sun as "saucy" and "pedantic" shows his hatred to the interference that time poses upon his life. The rude or "saucy" morning breaks in upon his delight. This is a punctual reminder that time ceases for nothing and for no one. There is a change in perception because of the love Donne feels. He believes that he is beyond the sun, "busy old fool, unruly sun". This perspective changes as he realizes that love is not the largest thing in life as he has time bearing on him. It is evident that one small insignificant happening in one’s life does start a reaction causing a shift in perspective and on life.
The third and final text is the book called “The Rabbits” by John Marsden and Shaun Tan. The book is a rich and unforgettable parable about the colonization of Australia and is suitable for all ages and cultures, told from the viewpoint of native animals. Marsden tends to use striking text and imagery which positions the reader to feel both a sense of positive and negative change. This stunning picture book examines the consequences of the arrival of a group of rabbits with entirely unfamiliar ways. They bring new food and animals, and they make their own houses to live in, eventually dominating the environment and its other inhabitants – invading rather than assimilating. The parallels with our own experience are many: "They chopped down our trees and scared away our friends and stole our children..." This story uses a comparison, which is delivered with the subtlety of a homicidal rhinoceros on heat. The rabbits are a metaphor for the white settlers of Australia and the story is about their negative effect on the world of the Aboriginal people. This has been apparent as it happened to the original inhabitants of Australia and is still a present issue in the 21st century with the recent “Sorry Day”. It is clear that the effect of the white people had on the Aboriginal people it is still evident and looked down upon in today’s society. We are hit over the head with this theme, rather than tantalized or intrigued into thinking about it. When the white people came to Australia they brought much grief and anxiety to the Aboriginal people. They over-threw the Aboriginal society and instead of coming to a fair agreement, they cast them of as 2nd class citizens, and attempted to eradicate their customs, viewpoints and practices. Although these are all negative aspects of change there are also many positive aspects present here as well. Not only did the White people bring their own new cultures, customs, practices and viewpoints, they spurred the arrival of more people from different cultures to Australia. This has resulted in a changed society. With this change there now is an embracement of many cultures which has created a multicultural Australia.
In conclusion change defines the act or instance of making or becoming different, an alteration or modification, something new, an experience and a part of your everyday life. This is experienced through the three authors in their respective texts. It brings to mind that the manner in which change is accepted or embraced and how it ultimately results in a change in one self. All three texts informs us of the many different ways to experience change, “The Door” informs us that we need to take risks in order to grow from the embraced change, the poem “Sunne Rising” tells us that one insignificant event can effect our whole perspective of life, and finally “The Rabbits” position the reader to recall the past and attempt to reinforce the positive-ness of change rather than dwell on the negative. Change is one of the most powerful things present in today’s society. Although change is obligatory and inevitable the impact is immense. One perception will determine whether this impact will be positive or negative.