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Question: It is the repetitions and contrasts in the events, characters, settings or use of language in a test which often guide our understanding of it. In what ways did the repetitions and contrasts in Fly Away Peter guide your understanding?
Fly Away Peter is a novel which is defined by the contrasts and repetitions which develop the storyline and give insight in to the important messages contained in the book. Malouf develops contrasts and repetitions in the characters and events to shape the story and the message it delivers.
Jim is without doubt the central character in the book. Malouf chooses not to reveal too much of Jim’s past. The reader is only provided with brief insights into a few key events in Jim’s life such as the death of his brother and the cruel treatment he suffered at the hand of his father.
Rather, Malouf focuses the reader’s attention on Jim’s current journey and discovering. This is how the reader builds a relationship and understanding of Jim and can build for them selves an understanding or interpretation of Jim’s past.
Jim becomes the key instrument which Malouf uses to display both the continui
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The bond between Imogen, Ashley and Jim is founded on their passionate interest and love of the birds, and the individual gifts that each brings to that interest. Malouf, in creating such a powerful representation of the natural world, has prepares us well for the contrast and impact of war. ty and contrast of life which is the key idea developed throughout Fly Away Peter.
The inevitable progression from the sanctuary to the war enforces the notion that to progress and learn we must encounter and learn to master caos. Jim is faced with challenges and even in the context of madness and war he discovers a deeper understanding of life and him self. Jim acknowledges to himself the need to extend his knowledge of life. ‘It was as if he had…arrived at the dark side of his head, and got stuck there’.
Jim and Ashley’s relationship gives the reader an insight in to how regardless of class and lifestyle people are all searching for answers and even though Jim and Ashley experienced the war from different perspectives they both came away having similar questions answered.
While Jim’s clearly does not share the same enthusiasm or patriotism for way he still feels inescapably drawn towards becoming involved. Repetition in the sense that there appearance and relevance stayed constant throughout the book and provided a sense of stability and sanity throughout. Malouf describes Jim transcendence in to the darkness and his loss of all innocence and grace. Ashley serves as an example of both contrast and similarity to Jim. This war torn world is foreign to Jim and he struggles to fathom it.
During war time Malouf uses Jim as a contrast and reference to the peace and predictability of the marsh land in Queensland.
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