Hsc Essay Question 2015: Distinctive Images offer a Variety of Perspectives on the World.

HSC Essay Question 2015: Distinctive images offer a variety of perspectives on the world.

Ideas of perspective  are often expressed through different distinctive visual texts, which can form and shape our perception of the world. Through Douglas Stewarts poems, Wombat and Lady Feeding the Cats and the movie Shawshank Redemption by Frank Darabont, we are shown an intrinsic connection between humanity and nature, recognising a shared sense of humanity between all of earth's creatures and the need for hope to overcome all of the worlds expectations. This all ultimately offers different perspectives of the world through distinctively visual texts.

Stewart encourages his audience to explore alternative aspects of viewing the world, and this is highlighted through his poem, Wombat. Through the poem Stewart shows the intrinsic connection between humanity and nature by depicting a shared and compassionate experience between animal and man. Stewart begins by linking the wombat with the earth through the repetition of "old", capturing the timeless nature of the Australian landscape and the animal itself. The wombat comes to the earth and returns to it and the use of the metaphoric language, such as "old tree root's companion" further encapsulates this. The wombat is being closely and empathetically viewed by the persona within the poem, which is evident through the detailed observations and the depicted images of the wombat being startled. The persona reassures the wombat, "be easy" showing the compassionate way in which the moment is being observed. Stewart then uses the audience to consider our own intrinsic connection between the earth and the wombat itself through the line, "we have one mother, good brother." Within this the composer challenges the perspective of the audience to consider both the significance of the natural world and our eternal connection to all living things. Thus, it is when we find a shared compassion and a sense of connection with the natural world that we truly learn our place within it.

A strong connection between humanity and nature creates a perception of the world which ultimately changes us. Through Lady Feeding the Cats, we recognise a shared sense of humanity between all of earth's creatures. Stewart begins by positioning the lady in a difficult situation that the audience may find themselves believing that she is not only physically unstable but emotionally as well. This is highlighted through the lines, "weathers stain", "bedraggled" and "shuffling along in broken shoes", however he utilises distinctive techniques to show that she is emotionally rich, through "song in her brain." This is further enriched with the connection with the alley cats as he describes her as "trembling with love and power", an emotive use of a paradox to show the audience a significant impact a connection can have on an individual, thus changing their perception of the world.  Furthermore, the use of anthropomorphism highlights the love and importance bestowed upon her as the alley cats, "proudly step forward to greet her" and "turned their battered heads in condensation." This highlights the significant impact the cats have placed upon her, thus changing her perception of how she views herself and the world as they have "fed more than her body" and she "lightly walks back to the slums." The composer uses this to challenge the perspective of the audience to consider the impacts a significant connection with others can have on an individual. Thus, it highlights how finding a connection with others can truly shape our perception of the natural world in its entirety.  

An individuals loss of humanity can subsequently damage themselves and the people around them. However the need for hope to overcome all adversities can change their perception of the world and the people around them. Through Shawshank Redemption, we are shown how hope can be the difference between life and death. Darabont begins by isolating and creating no sense of humanity for each individual in the institution through the metaphoric language of "life gone in a blink of an eye." This suggests that with one simple act your life can go from complete to nothing in an instant, which is further emphasised through the use of dark, sombre music. This adds to the emotion of the prisoners as there worlds become smaller and they begin a journey of dehumanisation.  The guards within Shawshank are corrupt and violent which is a foil to Sam who is supportive, tough and persistent. This gives the ideas that how you are treated in the institution shapes your experience and perception. Good or bad treatment can change your attitude and make you defiant, compliant or protesting. Then there's Andy, in a scene where he break out of the institution and stretches his arms out in the rain reflects a true embrace of freedom. This is what makes Andy a symbol of protest and defiance, a symbol of hope in a dark place also seen through the symbolic quote, "some birds are not meant to be caged, their colours are too bright." Andy didn't fall into the traps of the institution and dehumanise himself but with the use of hope he was able to overcome every obstacle the institution threw at him. He not only helped himself keep his strong perception of the world but he also changed many of the other prisoners perception of the world with the use of hope. "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best thing. Good things don't die." Through this symbolic quote we are shown that hope is one of the best things to have to allow yourself to continue pushing for survival. Through hope, it can shape and change individuals perception of the world, ultimately creating freedom and giving them a sense of humanity within the institution. Thus, hope can create us to find our place and truly shape our perception of this world.