Discovery

Discovery essay

Discovery is the process through which an individual can arrive at a state of enlightenment and self-actualisation. The development of the self when one shifts their perspective and re-evaluates in response to ordinary situations. Robert Frost’s body of poetry and Tim Winton’s Breath explore discoveries amongst ordinary situations in the natural world. LINK TO QUESTION

The natural human tendency to draw on the natural world has the potential to inspire us to seek meaningful human connection. Robert Frost’s Tuft of Flowers uses the ordinary and natural situation of the harvest, “after one who mowed it” which symbolises the paradoxical situation of isolation and the craving of human companionship, “The butterfly I had lit upon…but glad with him”. This soft tone of gladness expresses an emotional connection between the butterfly and the persona, “on tremulous wing came back to me”. Through the constant movement and these imagined connections, Frost is able to establish a new understanding of human correlation with all aspects of nature. This same desire for a discovery of human connection as a result of a consultation with nature is evident in Mending Wall where the transformative relationship between human companionship and nature are presented. The poem explores the idea of a fence making a good neighbour, however, nature rejects this idea by attempting to deconstruct the wall “something there is that doesn’t love a wall”, evident through the syntax reversal. This attempt of nature to break the segregation between the neighbours, forces them to come together once a year to ‘fix’ the wall. The persona, likewise, does not agree with the boundaries placed between the neighbours, as he sees it as a barrier. The irony in “good walls make good neighbours”, emphasises the persona’s feelings towards the nonsensical wall. In Stopping by Woodson a Snowy Evening Frost also represents the connection of nature and isolation; through symbolism Frost was able to capture the Romantic idea of nature’s ability to facilitate harmonious human solitude, “He will not see me stopping here”, his reference to the absent persona further highlight his isolation and search for companionship in the woods. Frost utilises a series of seemingly ordinary experiences in the natural world to explore the very fundamental experiences of loneliness and isolation as a means of discovering and expanding our relationships with the natural world.

Discovery is an ongoing process of self-understanding achieved through often small but illuminating moments and experiences of reflection and integration of our every context and the common place events that occur. Tuft of Flowers uses powerful visual imagery of the flowers, “a leaping tongue of bloom” to capture how both the butterfly and the persona survive, an unconscious act of community with nature and fellow begins due to the profound beauty of the flowers. The persona is able to recognise this unknown man’s actions as creating a mark of fellowship between them. The beauty of ‘wakening birds’ and the ‘whispering blade of the scythe’ symbolise the sensitivity and care the speaker identifies with the mower. Frost describes the importance of human relationships with nature through portraying the significance of simple experiences in life. The poem Home Burial, navigates the grief and the grieving process and explores the couple’s breakdown due to the limits of their communication. “Now you’ve said it and you feel better…your heart’s gone out of it” creates a sense of relief of airing the cathartic confession, it relieves the angst and tension in contrast to the cumulative description and rage in, “Make the gravel leap and leap in the air”. Thus, the small moments that serve to illuminate individuals and cause deep self-reflection lead to discoveries, not only about ourselves but the emotions and understanding of others. Tim Winton’s novel, ‘Breath’ explores the human rejection of emptiness of self. In Winton’s novel the character’s attempt to escape from their hollow existence develops an addiction, a variety of vices “Being afraid proves you’re alive and awake”. Winton explores the idea of death and the human rejection of isolation; whilst courageously suffering physical adversity as a means of absconding death. “When you make it, when you’re still alive and standing at the end, you get this tingly-electric rush. You feel alive, completely awake and in your body”. The powerful narrative voice allows Winton to harmonise the appreciation of the greatest discoveries having derives from ordinary situations.

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