Concept Of Many Obsessions Through Certain Techniques example essay topic

Obsession is a state of mind that can and does affect all individuals in different approaches. It can determine the individuals way of thinking and may be demonstrated through various texts and visual communications. The texts studied, "Sleeping Dogs", an item from the stimulus booklet, the film "Shine" and two related texts, use many techniques to support and create these concepts and aspects of obsession. These techniques include analysing the obsession in relation to the characters involved, to assist with illustrating the contrasting ideas of obsession that are presented. Firstly the novel "Sleeping Dogs" by Sonya Hartnett includes many aspects relating to obsession that are created in particular scenes.

The most concentrated concept of obsession throughout the novel is the family loyalty that is presented within most scenes. An example of how family loyalty is portrayed is through the technique of dialogue when Oliver says, "Some families have to stick together, forever". This quote demonstrates that the Willow family has a resilient obsession with being loyal to one another, and as a family, must strive together through life. The family's powerful ideology of being a loyal family may be shown through many techniques including dialogue to emphasise the concept of obsession.

Also, "Sleeping Dogs" contributes to the essence of obsession through the use of dogs as an example of the family and how they are portrayed. The Willow family is exposed as the description of the dogs in the novel, to show their obsessions in relation to the dogs, which is presented as an extended metaphor. This may be exemplified through the statements and short sentences made by Jordan, "They " re tame only when they must be. They don't like or love each other. They do things, but not for the reasons we do the same things".

(Page 31) Through this technique of dialogue and short sentences, the obsession created is shown through the extended metaphor of the dogs which the family is revealed as, showing that they follow their father's orders by being "tame" as the dogs do for their master. Thus, by using the method of an extended metaphor, dialogue and short sentences, the interpretation of obsession can be clearly identified. The stimulus booklet includes many texts that depict concepts of obsession, such as the poem "Advice to a teenage daughter" by Isobel Thrilling. Love is a powerful interpretation of obsession that is intensely stated throughout the world. In this poem, the issue of a love obsession is revealed from the mother, where she explains the concerns involved with love including her past memories, which refer to love as a game. An example of this is the extended metaphor used, "You have found a new war-game called Love" followed by other words that are related such as "brandishing swords of cherry pink and flame".

The extended metaphor is present throughout the poem, which creates an impression on the theme; especially when love is related to a "war-game" in the mother's perspective. This not only demonstrates the mother's possible failure toward love in the past, but also the use of "war-game" shows her ability to fight for her daughters well being as a mother and role model. Consequently, through the technique of extended metaphor, particular interpretations and attitudes of obsession are approached. Furthermore, the film "Shine" also contributes to the concept of obsession through certain scenes throughout the film, using different techniques to create the idea. The scene where the father does not want David to go to London depicts the concept of family loyalty that the father enforces upon his family especially David whom is trying to be free of captivity. This family loyalty can be related to the novel "Sleeping Dogs" where the father also has control over his family in staying together.

In "Shine", the obsession that the father has with David staying at home is shown as extremely intense through the close up shot on the father's face displaying his great disappointment with David's decision to go to London. Also, the dialogue used by the father, "David, if you love me you wont go", communicates his aim to force his son to stay by using love as an excuse. Through the camera shots and the dialogue used the fathers obsession with family loyalty is shown to the extreme, further describing his character and the harsh expectations he compels on his family. Hence, through using the techniques of dialogue and certain camera shots, the obsession in this seen is evidently revealed. In addition, the bath scene where David is played as an adolescent creates the idea of obsession through a series of techniques configurated. This scene shows the approach of a very emotional and empathizing impact on the viewer by the way it is portrayed.

Through the slow motion medium shot of the tap dripping and the close up of David's face creates the fear that he is experiencing and in the atmosphere. Also, the obsession that his father has with treating David in a violent way is seen through his actions of hitting David in the bath with the towel. David's expressionless attitude whilst being abused signifies his expectation of being abused as if it was a continuous action from his father. This can be seen as the reason for fear in the atmosphere and in David describing the obsession he has with stressing about following his father's ideology and the impact it has bought upon him through his inability to not be normal teenager. The fathers obsession with trying to make David be normal is seen when he abuses David, showing that he does not understand his son and presents the relationship between the characters and their different attitudes.

Therefore, these obsessions can be clearly identified throughout the scene, through a range of techniques. Moreover, the advertisement for a new computer called "iMac" made by the Apple Mac Company issued in the Good Weekend on the 23rd June 2002. This source reveals obsessions through the continuous desire to update and improve features in the world by promoting it to society. This may be shown through the visual communications presented of the different perspectives of the product, displaying its vast range of features.

By incorporating the visual representations such as the different angles, features and abilities of the computer monitor, the obsession with changing technology and upgrading aspects of life is enforced by the method of promoting the image to society, however the deeper implication of this advertisement is showing societies change in time. Therefore, by showing the many aspects of technology obsession through visual applications, each view of the computer can be represented as a gradual change in technology and societies "need" for more in life. The film "Conspiracy Theory" produced by Richard Donner in 1997 also produces the concept of many obsessions through certain techniques. The character, Jerry Fletcher, is depicted as a stereotyped mentally ill person whom obsesses about many issues in life. A main attraction that he is allured to is Alice Sutton, which is shown in the scene where he is looking up with binoculars from inside his taxi at Alice whom can be seen through the blinds of her window. The audience may be put into Jerry's perspective when they see with his eyes through the binoculars.

This shows Jerry's strong infatuation of Alice as he appears to be absorbed by her appearance, portraying his immersion in her and also the lengths he proceeds to for a glimpse of her. As a result of this camera technique and the character's actions, it allowed the obsession to be easily created and understood by the audience. In conclusion, the interpretations of obsession can be various and affect all characters involved in either a positive or negative way. They have shown to be portrayed clearly through many different techniques in different texts and visuals such as "Sleeping Dogs", the film "Shine", the poem "Advice to a teenage Daughter", the advertisement "iMac" and the film "Conspiracy Theory". Through using all these texts, they assist with revealing the concepts of obsession and display the way they affect the audience and their way of thinking.