Thorin's Perspective On Life Changes example essay topic

Changing Perspective: Through a number of texts we can see the concept of change and changing perspective clearly demonstrated. In "Looking for Alibrandi" changes can be seen as a good thing by the events that occur in the novel. In the short story "Sky High", change is demonstrated as a bad thing that occurs in life. The classic J.R.R. Tolkien novel "the Hobbit" conveys the message that change occurs over time and it also emphasizes that certain events that occurs in ones life can trigger change resulting in to a good thing in one life. Through these texts, the composers shape our understanding of change by demonstrating how it can be gradual, how it is natural and how change can be for the better.

In Looking for Alibrandi, the author, Melina Marchetta demonstrates the concept of change not only through the chief protagonist, Josephine, but also some other more minor characters such as John Barton, though the majority is shown through Josephine. In the novel, Melina Marchetta uses language to show change that is occurring in one's life. Josie is free with no boundaries to restrict her which is why she experiences major change in her life. This can be seen by the different styles of language that she uses throughout the novel.

For example, Josie uses colloquial language with her friends and can switch to formal language when needed e.g. the speech on Have a Say Day. This shows why Josie goes through a successful change while other characters like John Barton who only uses formal language throughout the novel and does not have the ability to express himself due to the constriction of the formal language, shows that he is unable to change and therefore leads to his tragic death. A major theme in Looking for Alibrandi is identity. Josephine has a change in perspective on her own identity. Initially, Josephine believes that her appearance and ethnic background is the determining factor in her social acceptance. She also believes that because she is at a wealthy school on a scholarship and has no father she is looked down upon.

When Josephine is told by a teacher at her school, Sister Louise that she was actually voted school captain but was given the role of vice captain because they felt she lacked the leadership skills and that her and her friends are in fact trendsetters within the school and looked upon with envy, she has a sudden change in perspective on herself. She has always lacked self esteem and was very conscious of what others thought of her, but now has realised she is actually one of the most popular girls in school which is a great confidence boost for her. At that moment, Josephine says, "I knew deep down that I was wrong and I think that my emancipation began at that moment". Another issue dealing with the concept of change in Looking for Alibrandi is the changes in perspectives over three generations of the Alibrandi women. The novel features Josephine, Christina and Nonna, all of whom are part of different generations. Throughout the novel, Marchetta shows the perspectives of these three generations.

Nonna's generation is shown to have a very conservative perspective. When she was young she was expected to stay at home while her arranged husband when off to work. The husband was seen as the boss and the wife was not allowed to divorce him. This generation shows that immigrants during that time believed that image of the family on the outside were more important to the truth.

This can be seen by the fact that Nonna hid her secret for al those years. Christina's generation is shown as a little more open-minded but still a little conservative and that she was caught between the old world and the new, more rebellious world. When Christina has a child out of wedlock she was looked down upon and was not expected to attend university. Christina accepts the criticism that is thrown because she wants to keep the values of the old world but still wants a life of her own which clashes with her values. Josephine's perspective is a lot more open-minded. It is not uncommon for people to have a child out of wedlock.

She does not consider marriage as being necessary and is able to, and plans to attend university. She has her own ambitions on her life (which is to be a barrister) and is not restricted between the two generations. Over these three generations, perspectives have been changed. Marchetta shows in many ways that change is a positive thing which allows more freedom to do the things people want to do. Marchetta's perspective is contrasted to Sky High written by Hannah Robert which shows how change can be a negative thing. We see two of her perspectives, one of which is as a child and the other as a grown woman.

While reminiscing, Robert outlines her childhood perspective of her backyard and the world. As a child the author was innocent and free allowing her to conjure magical worlds while playing. The writer's backyard becomes her playground creating an adventure that only a child could have each time she enters it. She describes herself climbing onto the old clothesline as if it is a mission. One she has "conquered" the clothesline and is swinging from it she experiences a feeling of excitement. This is shown by the use of personification.

The air is personified as being alive and "playfully tousle my hair". As an adult she reaches up to the same clothesline and sees her hands "beginning to accumulate the line-etched story of life in scars and wrinkles". Since being a child the author has faced many experiences forcing her to grow up. She is no longer the innocent child she once was and now has a much more pessimistic perspective of her life. This is juxtaposed to her childhood views and is shown by the negative connotations that are used, "metallic spotted arms" which is used to describe the washing line show that its no longer an magical object but just a piece of equipment tat is used to hang clothes. Although she has a small urge, described as "a small pilot light burning somewhere inside" to swing off the clothesline, as a rational adult she realises that this would be irresponsible and that the clothesline would no longer support her weight.

In the novel "the Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien also shows that change occurs over time and that it might take may take many sacrifices to create a positive outcome. The novel portrays both similarities and differences between our world and the fantasy world, Middle Earth. One similarity that is shown is that change can occur in anyone. As the book begins to conclude, Thorin Oaken shield sees the goodness in Bilbo Baggins and apprehends the most significant parts of life. Since the beginning, Thorin's principle objective is to become the King under the Mountain and to have all the gold and treasure. While Thorin is on his deathbed he tells Bilbo, "There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West.

Some courage and some wisdom blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world". Unlike the dwarfs, Bilbo cherishes friendship and merriment over gold and wealth. He shows this by placing his life in danger numerous times by escaping ferocious goblins and killing giant spiders to save Thorin and the other dwarfs. Bilbo cares more about others than himself, and Thorin notices how fortunate they are to have such a wise individual as a friend. Thorin changes drastically by the end of the book.

Now, Thorin's quest is now fulfilled since he returned the mountain to the dwarfs reign. For many years, a dragon, Smaug, took over the mountain until when Thorin and his company claim the mountain again. Another part of his quest was to have the Heart of the Mountain, the Arkenstone. He accomplished that when it was laid upon his breast by Bard, a friend, and Bard exclaimed, "There it lay till the Mountain falls!" His death was necessary for the theme of the book to teach that kindness is superior of treasure.

Finally, Thorin realizes this valuable lesson, but it is too late. Thorin did not realize that friendship and merriment is more meaningful than riches. Many creatures lost their life from the choices that Thorin made and the selfishness he had. In The Hobbit, Thorin's perspective on life changes when he sees the goodness and kindheartedness in Bilbo. Bilbo would risk his life for any friend, but during the adventure all Thorin wants is the treasure. As Thorin is on his deathbed, he notices how selfish he has been and wishes he could have transformed it.

Although the novel carries a different message, it still shows that change for good can occur in anyone. Therefore change occurs as time goes by within everybody's lives due to different circumstances that occur in one's life and only when were unable to change, we cease to live.