Human Condition †Away by Michael Gow Essay

Literature faeces reflect the human condition by presenting aspects of our existence, including the unsubtle range of emotions, our morta literaturey and the transformations which differentiate us as a species. Examples of texts which do so include the hunt down absent by Michael Gow, the photo Woman on Bondi by Marco Bok and the poem Ode To A Nightingale by John Keats, which provide similar and contrasting views on these aspects of humanity. aside by Michael Gow, first published in 1986, is an Australian play set in the 1960s, following the Vietnam War, which explores the mortality, loss, restoration and transformation experienced in our existence.Gow suggests that tom is the catalyst by his characterisation of Puck in A Midsummer Nights dream in the opening scene. He alludes to Toms quality as a healer, as it is with his remnant that others are able to begin the process of restoration Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall relate amends, while adding elemen ts of magic through the play-within-a-play. Tom engineers the plays upheaval through the puckish curse I hope you have a rotten holiday and by conjuring up the storm further into the text, which causes both great conflict and the restoration of the characters.The mortality of our existence is also express through Tom. By reading the excerpt from King Lear in the final scene, Tom undergoes a purgative transition, reflecting upon his foreshadowing death and finally postulateing its inevitability while we unburdend crawl towards death. Gows casting of Tom as Lear insinuates that he has completed his role as the healer and is fasten to face his destiny. Despite the tragic overtones conveyed through these lines, the concept of a new beginning is also implied through the stage directions and setting The light becomes bright, summery, morning and thus reflects the positive aspect of being able to accept our mortality.The concept of loss and restoration is portrayed through Coral, w hose process of healing is triggered by Toms role in A Midsummer Nights Dream, with Gow using a monologue following the performance allowing Coral to express her emotions and reach out to the audience What angel wakes me from myflowery distinguish? The repetition of this line throughout the dramatic monologue reinforces her awakening from depression and dysphoria, with the angel acting as a recurring motif for Toms role as the healer. The flowery bed can also be interpreted as Toms deathbed and thus, she unknowingly foreshadows his fate.Gow uses the play-within-a-play, The Stranger On The bring down, to express Corals final acceptance and restoration. This play demonstrates love, sacrifice and death, with Corals role allowing her to experience the greatest qualifying. The repetition of the line Im walking emphasises this change and portrays her healing. Gow also uses the brightness level of the bonfire as a symbol for the death of old beliefs and a signal for new life, Theyve lit a bonfire on the beach. Look.Similarly, Gwen goes down the path of restoration, as she is initially encapsulated within a shell formulated from her materialistic mentality, Weve got a brand new caravan. Everything you could want. Her change in attitude is triggered by the storm which Gow uses as symbol for cleansing, bringing in elements of magic The FAIRIES return and stage a undischarged storm. The emotional breakdown of Gwen as she receives news of Toms illness also expresses her change and she seeks forgiveness from Jim, You must hate me? Im sorry. The clichd expression Theres a terrible taste in my mouth as Gwen tries to take the Bex Powder also emphasises her transformation.Thus, Away echoes the human condition by expressing aspects of our existence which deal with our mortality and the transformations we may experience.BibliographyAway. Gow, Michael (1986)Michale Gows Away. Beckett, Wendy (Glebe Pascal Press, 1993)