Transcript

Host: Today on the midmorning show we discuss the issue of changing perspectives in today's world. You are listening to Erin Carrot and joining me in the studio is Karen Finch, a youth worker from the Campbletown area, who specialises in adolescent psychology. Welcome to the program Karen.

K.F. Thank you, lovely to be here.

Host Also joining us via the telephone is Mr Graeme Anderson, from the department of immigration, who will be sharing his thoughts on how learning of other's experiences can change an individuals perspective. Welcome to the show Graeme.

G.A. Pleasure. Thank you for having me.

Host Describe to myself and the listeners, if you could, how a person's perspective may be changed through increased maturity. Karen, as this relates primarily to your area of expertise, would you like to start us off?

K.F. Of course. Examples of this are everywhere in society, even if we don't recognise them. A good example can be derived from the novel Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta. At the beginning of the novel, the main character, Josie Alibrandi, can be seen to be arrogant and self centred, while at the end of the book she is much more mature and aware of others around her. This change comes as the result of different experiences. One of the main events which affects her is the walkathon fiasco. This is a major turning point for Josie as it is when she accepts her responsibilities and that she was wrong in her actions. We are able to derive this information from the techniques which the author used in writing it.

Host What types of techniques were used by Melina Marchetta to convey this message to the reader?

K.F. At one stage Josie says to another student who is congratulating her 'One of the year 7 kids could have been grabbed by a mad man. I was responsible for them. That's what the big deal was. I was wrong in what I did yesterday'. The colloquial language used, 'mad man' and 'big deal', reminds the reader that they are still viewing the feelings of a teenage girl and this helps the reader to relate to Josie as a real person. The direct speech used by Josie in this excerpt exemplifies her true feelings of shame and regret as she argues against her innocence with another student. All of these techniques help to develop a sense of realism

Host Right, and do events such as these occur in the lives of young people in reality?

K.F. They are not always as clear cut as this fictional incident, Erin, but there is often an experience which will have a marked affect on a young person.

Host Are there ways in which acquiring or experiencing something new while growing up can change an individuals perspective?

K.F. There are actually examples of this in Sky High, a narrative text written by Hannah Roberts. The persona describes the way she viewed the lives of her neighbours from an experience when she was younger. The actual exert in which she describes this experience is; 'I have stood on the fence and talked to them, even been in their house once. It was full of Mary and Jesus miniatures and they had flat, coloured-glass animal shapes made from kits hanging in their windows. Their garden doesn't have any lawn or flowers, only vegetables. That's all they eat, I think.' The imagery used in this passage to describe the neighbour's house also tells the reader about her life, without religion. It also implies that the neighbours are from a European country and highlights the differences in childhood experiences. This changes her perspective on her life in comparison to others. Another example from this text is in the last paragraph. 'The inclination is still there, a small pilot light burning somewhere inside, but it is unlikely the washing line could support me this time. There are too many things tying me to the ground.' In this example the 'pilot light' is used as a metaphor for childhood memories. It is evident that time has changed the persona both physically, 'line etched story of life in scars and wrinkles' and psychologically 'things tying me to the ground' (incurred responsibilities), through events experienced throughout her life.

Host Thank you Karen, I'm sure that our listeners now have a much clearer idea

of how growing up can change a person's perspective, especially

through the use of those literary examples. Now, Mr Anderson, if you would like to explain how broadening one's awareness of others experiences can change one's outlook?

G.A. Yes Erin. I would also like to use examples from the novel Looking for Alibrandi, as it illustrates various outlooks on this topic for our

listeners this morning. The character Josie Alibrandi is very critical of her

grandmother, Katia Alibrandi, before she learns of her experiences as an Italian immigrant. This is conveyed through lack of respect which she appears to have for her grandmother