AREA OF STUDY: JOURNEY

The composers ability to convey the concept of Journey in their texts take effect on the individual whilst on a physical and inner Journey, allowing the individual to have a positive or negative experience. Inner Journeys can positively or negatively be developed through the mind and spirit allowing the individual to explore themselves, whereas physical Journeys provide different types of obstacles and movement to new places. This concept is evident in Brian Percival's film 'The Book Thief', and F. Scott Fitzgerald's text 'The Great Gatsby', where the protagonist's infinite endurance in the face of obstacles and challenges lead them to conditional happiness and success. Thus, it is through the accomplishiment of the obstacles and challenges faced that allows the individual to grow and develop, which will ehance the Journey they partake on.

 

Furthermore, the inner obstacles identified on a Journey allow for the individual to explore themselves, the world and others. "The Great Gatsby" explores Jay Gatsby's  Journey from being born into a poor lower class family to a upper class famous entrepreneur and highlights the tough inner obstacles he faced. One of those being his love for Daisy Buchanan, adequately expressed through "I bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay....I hope one day she can come to a party of mine and meet me". Gatsby's melancholic and frustrated tone conveys emotional distress that he faced whilst he waited upon Daisy's arrival. Consequently, this was a challenge that was crucial, although Gatsby's was able to overcome it. Gatsby's frustration which also led to his determination allowed for him to maintain a healthy mindset which led to reveal his inner strength. The dialogue of " Tell him Daisy" yelled Gatsby.  "I loved you once isn't that enough? I can't help what's past." She began to sob helplessly. "I love him but I loved you once too Tom." consolidates the concept that through infinite endurance, Gatsby was rewarded with happiness. Therefore, it is through his determination in the face of inner obstacles that Gatsby is rewarded with his personal happiness and success. 

 

Similarly, Brian Percival's "The Book Thief" communicates the variety of challenges that Liesel Meminger had to face during her Journey to learn how to read and write. An inner obstacle that Liesel experienced was the emotional distress that she faced when an air raid had striked and destroyed her village killing her family. During her moments before the air raid, the use of several mid and close up shots captured a detailed timeline of events that Liesel encountered since arriving to her new home such as learning how to read and write with Hans Hubermann and meeting Max under the stairs. Despite the haunting nature of this obstacle, Liesel was able to overcome and survive the air raid. This is demonstrated in the final scenes of the film when Liesel is pulled out from the destruction by a soldier. The use of destruction and rubble sounds emphasises the greatness of her reward pushing through the inner obstacles, which Liesel faced and has gained the ability to move on with her life. As a result, it is through her determination to survive the air raid that allowed Liesel to propel through the challenges and be rewarded with success and happiness for the rest of her life.

 

On the other hand, physical obstacles in Journeys allows the individual to gain rewards of great nature through movement to new places and face a variety of obstacles. During his Journey, Gatsby experienced and endured many physical obstacles, such as trying to impress the general public with luxurious parties, and saving up to afford the life he currently has. Gatsby conveys his experience through the outer dialogue of,"I thought you inherited your money." says Nick "I did, old sport," he said automatically, "but I lost most of it in the big panic – the panic of the war." shows Gatsby's frustration and anger that he had faced over years of working to earn his wealth. However, after years of working, Gatsby was able to overcome this obstacle and become a millionaire to host lavish parties. This is demonstrated through imagery of,  "I could always hear music from my neighbour's house through the summer nights, and see guests arrive in their rolls royce" highlighting his persistency to hold events for the public for free. Consequently, it is through his persistence and determination of his wealth that allowed him to physically hold events each night in the summer. 

 

Thus, Liesel also experienced many physical obstacles during her journey, many of which involved her new foster family. In one scene, Liesel and her foster parents Rosa and Hans Hubermann were forced to leave they're home and evacuate to a safer place, as there was a series of bombings coming there way.  In this scene, a long shot represents Liesel to be scared and shattered, realising the physical difficulties which she had to face on her Journey. After the bombings had taken place, Liesel was playing with Rudy in the street when she come across a similar looking person that looked like Max walking in a pack with other Jewish people. The imagery seen here develops an understanding of Liesels physical love towards Max that is infinite, and shows the physical difficulties of Liesel loosing him. Hence, Liesels ability to endure through the physical obstacles of her Journey allows for her happiness to succeed.  

 

Therefore, if an individual is able to endure through their inner and phyiscal obstacles and challenges, whilst on a Journey, he or she will receive happiness and success. In "The Book Thief" and "The Great Gatsby", it is through showing devotion in the face of obstacles and challenges that the individual recieves their success and wealth respectively. Moreover, the different types of challenges will determine the nature of their happiness, but contribute to the success of the individual. Without these challenges and obstacles, the Journeys of Jay Gatsby and Liesel Meminger would be uneventful, and would not lead to the exciting nature of finishing the Journey.