Discoveries Can offer New Perceptions of Others and the World Around Us

Discoveries can offer new understandings and renewed perceptions of ourselves and others, and two great textual examples of this are the play “Away” by Michael Gow and the short story “Hate at first sight” by Kathy Lette. Discoveries are emotional and can be confronting for an individual and therefore provoke changes in their perception of themselves and others. As shown in the two textual examples the discovery experienced by the protagonists leads to the rejection of their older destructive values and an adoption of new world views. Gow and Lette have both accomplished this through their intricate use of theatrical and literary techniques.

Discoveries can be traumatic, confronting and shocking; they can lead to the characters accuring a  more in-depth knowledge of themselves, others and the world. This can conflict with one’s existing attitudes and worldviews, causing them to reject their old values and alter their perception of the world. In Gow’s play the character Gwen learns that Tom, Vics son, has terminal cancer and is likely to not be around for much longer. As a result of this confronting discovery Gwen revaluates her perception of life and begins to realise she has been living a very shallow life. This is shown in the first half of the play by the way Gwen wants to be viewed by others as a classy woman with a well to do family. After the discovery of Toms cancer, she realises she needs to appreciate her family and life more. A quote that shows this realisation is when she is speaking to her husband Jim, “What do you think of me? You must hate me? Why do you still bother?”. These three rhetorical questions which use imperative language show Gwen's remorse as she realises she has been more focused on material than her relationship with her husband. Michael Gow’s use of rhetorical questions and imperative language, have allowed him to explore how discoveries can cause an individual to change their attitude towards the world.

The physical discovery of a new place and interpersonal discovery can lead to new ideas and values, this is shown in the story “Hate at first sight”. Louise is a high maintenance women who at the beginning of the story has a very stereotypical view of the outback and the people who live there. A quote that shows this is when her sister informs her she is going to be moving to the outback, “Well you’ll be in good company. You know what kind of men are in the outback? Felons and misfits, rednecks and renegades.” The rhetorical question and the multiple negative comments show her views on the men in the outback before her interpersonal and physical discovery. She has an apparent negative view on the outback way of life. However, as she continues to spend more time there the positive aspects begin to change her preconceived perspective. After she wakes up from the car crash she tries to kiss her sister’s fiancé Jacko. He rejects the kiss and says “Your sister is a truly beautiful person”. This is the catalyst for her change, as after this she realises Jacko loves her sister not for just her looks. This ultimately leads to her examining her perspective on life and her fiancées values.