Spoiler
2015 module C question:
'Experiences of landscape may be diverse, but the influence on identity is always profound.’ Ha! This was my question.
Evaluate this statement with detailed reference to your prescribed text and ONE other related text of your own choosing.
The experiences of landscapes vary as each individual's experience is unique, however, the influence on identity is always profound. This is represented in Alain de Botton's multimodal non-fiction text The Art of Travel in which identities are changed and challenged. Jane Harrison's contemporary Australian play Stolen also supports this argument through the removal of identity and the internal struggle of identity conflict, as a result of the political and social landscape of the time in which it is set. Through these two texts it is evident that identity is greatly impacted by an individual's relationships with the landscape. Because identities feature so strongly in your essay (it seems, based on the intro), I'd try and bring them into your very first sentence, because currently all that does is agree with the question. It isn't bad, but maybe this could be better?
The experience of landscapes can influence identity. This is evident through De Botton's representation of nature in The Art of Travel, Nature is seen to influence identity through the observation "our identities are too a greater or lesser extent malleable" depending on who or what we find ourselves in the presence of. This can allow us to "seek out in life and in each other "whatever is desirable and good"" as established through the use of a direct quotation from William Wordsworth, a focus literary figure otherwise referred to as a guide. The use of Wordsworth as a guide supports arguments by revealing similar perspectives, and expressing how nature has "the power to suggest certain values to us", and thus, influencing our identities. Therefore the positive experience of nature has a profound impact on our identities by allowing us to become more kind hearted human beings. I don't think it's clear that the landscape you're exploring is a natural landscape. Instead, it's like nature is a motif, within the landscape. I'd adjust this in your second sentence, which at the moment seems a bit bizarre to me because of the way the quote has been inserted without analysis, it's kind of just stating your thesis for you. I'm also not convinced about "identities" in this part here. It isn't flowing to me. It seems like the main part of this paragraph is the fact that someone else said something, so we're going to give it weight. It doesn't do much in terms of individualism or identity in landscapes for me. I think your ideas are right, it's just the expression to work on, and maybe supporting it with other evidence.
In Stolen, the identity of individuals are not only changed, but they are removed entirely. This is evident through the dialogue "JIMMY: Willy? / RUBY: Jimmy!" Which conveys Jimmy's name change and hence, removal of identity. The overlay of his mother's voice over reading letters to her son as Jimmy states "my name's not Willy, and she's not my mother. My mother's dead" further highlights the complete removal of identity. This identity removal is clearly a result of the Cranby Children's home landscape, as well as the political landscape, since this is a consequence of Australia's attempt to whitewash society. Therefore this highly negative relationship with the landscapes has had a profound impact on identity as explored through the removal of Jimmy's. The second last sentence here is very much story retell, and then some analysis. So as a whole, your paragraph is like: thesis, quote, quote and analysis without a technique, retell, then link. Whenever you're quoting, find the technique that will bridge your analysis to the link about landscapes.
Here, the link between landscape and identity isn't clear, it's kind of like two separate entities waiting for you to link them.
Identity can also conflict with perceived realities, due to the connections with the environments around us. This is represented in The Art of Travel through the conflict between where one is born and where one is attracted and identifies with. This is evident through the inclusion of Gustave Flaubert as a guide to support arguments on the exotic as "he proposed a new way of ascribing nationality...according to the places to which one is attracted." This idea that our identities are based on the environment we feel positively connected to rather than where we originate is further represented through the direct quotation "I don't give a shit for Normandy or La Belle France... I think I must have been transported by the winds to this land of mud" the metaphor "land of mud" conveys dissatisfaction with ones home country. Thus, "Flaubert insisted he was not French" since his true affections were for that of the orient. This positive relationship with the orient and negative one with France thus creates a conflict between where an individual identifies and where they actually originate. Who is being quoted in this direct quotation? In this one I'm understanding the link between landscape and identity more, but I suggest trying to use the words of the rubric more - like a remembered landscape. You're not really identifying the landscape types, just that they are a landscape, and I think this is a missed opportunity to be unique in your analysis.
Conflicting identities are also represented as a result of the landscape in Stolen. Through the character of Anne and the social landscape in which she finds herself in the conflict is effectively conveyed. The stage directions "she runs to the other side of the stage" and "she turns away and holds her head as if in pain" physically represents her internal struggle as to where she belongs. The repetition of the black and white voices' dialogue "who do you think you are?" Enhance the mental agony of Anne's situation. By wanting to be a part of both families, expressed through the humour of "I got mum some milk chocolates and I got my mother some dark...either way I love them both" conflict in identity has arisen. Hence the social landscape of the stolen generation is seen to cause individuals an internal struggle in terms of finding their identities. There's more to analyse here than what you currently have - in that quote you could also talk about the first person the narration, for example, and double that with the humour.
Through the Art of Travel and Stolen the relationships between people and landscapes are seen to have a profound impact on an individual's identity. This is explored through the representation of how people interact with the various physical, political and social landscapes around them. Therefore the diverse relationships between people and landscapes has a profound impact on an individual's identity.
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Topic: Advanced English: Module C essay - Art of Travel (Read 4498 times)