Age Of The Composer example essay topic

The text, 'Sky High,' is presented to the responder as an autobiographical short story. It combines the elements of an autobiography in that it is written in first person, incorporating personal experience with a nostalgic tone as the composer reflects on a significant memory from her childhood. As a short story, the responder is taken through a series of events which are not presented in chronological order due to the nostalgic tone of the text. It is rich with vivid imagery and the constant use of literary devices, such as similes (" like spectators" and. ".. shirts like colored flags"), metaphors ("the line-etched story of life in scars and wrinkles" and "small pilot light burning somewhere inside"), personification ("a struggling sapling" and "its boughs stretch out to me beseechingly") and alliteration ("semaphore secrets" and "silver skeletal").

The effect of the alliteration of the 's' constant soothes and calms the reader, suggesting that the story flows. Colloquial language is used in combination with descriptive expression to relate to a much broader audience (ie: much easier to read than the same amount of writing from one of Shakespeare's works - however, having taken the time and context into perspective, it is hard to compare these!) Such lines as "veggie patch" and " grubby toes" illustrate this. Even though the composer has chosen to describe her recollections with an extensive vocabulary (" festooned", exalted", "beseechingly" and "conquest"), she still identifies with the responder with reminiscent views of the simplicity of childhood and presents this with the recurring motif of the clothesline. The title, 'Sky-High', is an example of hyperbole.

From the composer's point of view as a child, her world is limited to what she is able to explore - the backyard is a familiarity which she knows and later remembers vividly in life. As a child, everything seems larger than life - even something as simple as a clothesline. It provided her with amusement whilst allowing her to explore and observe life from a different perspective - which, in turn, a change in perspective contributes significantly to a change in self. This text also illustrates continuity and change.

The composer grew up with the clothesline, and over time, she changed as a person - both with growth and maturity. However, despite the obvious deteriation of the clothesline - as it would over time - it did not change. It remained in the back yard, and still appealed to the composer, even though it is realized in the last two lines: "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". This could have both a literal and a metaphorical meaning, in that the composer has grown, and the clothesline has aged - and it would be dangerous for her to attempt to swing off it again; also in that she realizes that it is impossible for her to be in the same position she was in as a child - carefree, etc - as an adult she has matured to accept more responsibility, and taken onboard accumulated doubts, worries, and fears.

As an adult, the composer also bring irony to the title - her perspective of what is 'sky-high' in childhood most likely differs greatly from her opinions in the present. It appears as though the adventure of exploring her backyard from the top of the clothesline was not only a form of discovery and exploration but also an escape - somewhere where she felt she was safe, and being higher suggests the inclination to feel more powerful, and have a sense of freedom. By writing opposing tenses in separate paragraphs, the distinction can be made more clearly between the adult composer and her younger self. Paragraphs one and six are written from the adult perspective in the present, while those in between as an adult, but in the past and from a child's perspective. The entire text has been composed by eighteen-year-old Hannah Robert. It is from her own point of view that she presents a most significant memory from her childhood as she revisits her backyard.

Taking into the age of the composer, the audience can be consciously aware of the perspective from which the material is presented, and either empathize with the feelings of the author or taken an objectionable viewpoint. As mentioned previously, this text can be analysed as a piece of autobiographical material, which ultimately revolves around some form of truth about one's life. When writing an autobiography, the composer can choose what parts of the truth are exposed, and which remain untold. The responder does not know why the composer felt the need to sit high up in the clothesline and swing from it - they can presume it was an enjoyable and relaxing pastime for the child, a game of adventure - but no details of any other part of her life are exist within the text besides the description of own world in her backyard. The effect of this may leave the responder curious as to why she felt the need to 'escape' and feel 'free,' or it may simply be accepted as a means of childish curiosity. 'Sky-High' in many ways does represent change effectively and clearly.

It shows a distinct comparison between the ideals of youth and maturity. This is illuminated through the use of past and present tense, and also positive and negative connotative language ("hard, bird bitten fruit" vs. "playfully tousle my hair"). The recurring motif of the clothesline as a representation of continuity and change contributes to the nostalgic tone of the text. The ending of the fifth paragraph where the composer is in an almost dream-like state radically contrasts with the abrupt reality of the present in paragraph six. In reference to aging in relation to change, the responder notices the aging of her own hands as she reaches for the aged clothesline: .".. beginning to accumulate the line-etched story of life in scars and wrinkles... ".

Not only does this reflect a change in time and age, but also on an increased responsibility that comes with maturity. The reality between the fifth and sixth paragraphs imply that the composer understands that despite these nostalgic feelings she may have about her past, she cannot return to it. This realization accentuates the contrast between the time of youth and freedom to that of adulthood and responsibility. However, on the other hand, one could not rely solely on this material as an accurate source from the composers past - despite the composer writing it herself. Autobiographical material may contain elements of ambiguity due to the nature in which they are written and presented.

'Sky-High', for example, is written in the present from memories of childhood. While the composer can express what they recall about certain events, the accuracy can be questionable - the composer remembers the event, takes what they think is significant and compile a 'text' upon this understanding - from there, the responder reviews the text and takes their own interpretation from it. The main concern with writing any type of autobiographical material is that the composer has the power to be selective in what they chose to include. The cultural context of the piece is a Dutch family living in a working class home in approximately a short time before, or during, the 1980's.

This is exemplified by reference to an incinerator (which were outlawed in 1985), and the description of what appears to be a Hills Hoist type clothesline. The reference to the Dutch culture is mentioned in the fourth paragraph where the composer speaks of her grandfather ('Opa') in that he was a leather worker and talked. ".. quietly with his soft, Dutch voice". It is noted that multi generational living is an accepted practice in the family, as the father builds 'Opa' a bungalow next to the house to live in. The author also speaks significantly of her neighbors in the third and fourth paragraphs. Religious allusion with reference to " Mary and Jesus miniatures" insinuate a religiously devout family - who regarded religious statues as an important part of their culture. Having noted this, there is an obvious comparison between neighbors - one family of Dutch heritage, the other with strong religious ties to Christianity (Catholicism?

). Multiculturalism is obviously present. The intended purpose originally for this text was presumably a creative writing task of a year twelve student, or a piece of writing by a year twelve student as they reflect on their childhood after arriving at a milestone in their lives. Possibly the composer still had nostalgic feelings about her childhood, but after re-visiting the clothesline and recalling the memories associated with it, she realized that returning to the past is simply not possible. The features which suggest this include the structure - sentences that are packed with expressive language and literary devices; the transition from the past to the present tense - lines such as "there are too many things tying me to the ground" - brutal realities; and the tone, as it changes from youthful and hopeful, to an understanding and somewhat acceptance of change over time. At present, the intended purpose of the text is to be studied and used as source material on the topic of 'change' for year twelve students.