Discoveries can lead to the accession of a more in depth understanding of self
Discoveries can lead to the accession of a more in depth understanding of self, others and the large world; this can dispute with one’s existing point of view and worldviews, causing them to downcast their old values and change their discernment of the world. In the play Away Gow shows us how discoveries stimulate new ideas and enable individuals to speculate about future possibilities through the character of Coral.
The death of Coral’s son in the Vietnam War has caused a spiritual malfunction as she cannot accept her son’s death. And is now experiencing grief and distance from everyone. Furthermore, Coral has lost her communal identity and tends to grapple to find a link with anyone, as she “can’t think of anything to say”. Her husband, Roy, is annoyed by her strange viewpoint and this causes Coral to lower herself to the behaviour of a native child “I’ll be good! I’ll improve!” When Coral does begin to speak, it is presented as very eloquent and sorrowful. Her tone is filled with sentiment as she is repeatedly “wiping away tears”.
Through the figurative definition obtained in the play that Coral and Tom conduct in, called “The Stranger on the Shore”. Coral turns into a mermaid, from the previous state of a human being in her strive to follow and chase her loved one. This is symbolic of Corals change after the death of her son, and her pursuing fitment to him. The mermaid normally represents the component of fantasy, explained to be the isolation of Coral and her interval from actuality. However, due to Toms appeal, Coral was revolved into perishable shape, he states, “You must return to your own world and your own people”, in response, Coral tells him, “I cannot walk, I am afraid”, proposing her fear and delay towards the alter. Tom then helps Coral in walking, she says, “I’m walking, I’m walking, I’m walking”. This repetition, and tone of disclosure from Coral speaking to her own voice and has discovered her identity, from the help of Tom. The play represents the alleviate of coral through her connection with Tom, and the sacrifices he has made in his own life to help her through her ache. Subtly dispenses and underlines the change in her character. Gow has used the repetition of “I’m walking” to enforce the change perceived in Coral.
During the play we see Coral look at Tom playing Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and sees a sick boy. She comprehends he is sick and others don’t perceive this. But she also sees a sick boy who is special, “He looks so sick yet so wonderful”. This is an allusion to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Also Coral seems to have ached with intellectual disease that sources her to separate herself from others, which makes her husband anxious.
