HSC Advanced English Discovery AOS – The Tempest and The Catcher in the Rye

“The best thing,though,in that museum,everything stayed where it was. Nobody’d move, nobody’d be different”- Holden The reason why Holden likes the museum is because it symbolises the unchanging. A world where nothing changes is a world that Holden would like to live in. Holden wants to be a protector of innocence, a Catcher in the rye but he also wants to stay innocent himself. By repeating the word nobody’d he emphasises that nothing had changed in the museum. It was the one thing that remained constant to him #Self-Discovery inertia to discover more as time progresses #Symbolism and repetition
“He wrote them on it so that he’d have something to read when he was in the field and nobody was up to bat. He’s dead now” – Holden The novel is told through the eyes Protagonist Holden Caufield. The passive First person voice has peculiarities in them that discriminate the audience from Holden. All of Holden’s experiences in the novel are very important to him since he’s wiring about the events that led him to a mental hospital. The intensity of the emotions associated with them are masked by the first person technique. This is a present tense sentence in a past tense novel#Audience’s discovery, allows the audience to empathise with Holden despite flaws and that this can be a source of problems #passive voice and 1st person
“She reached into my coat pocket and took out my red hunting cap and put it on my head” He takes off his hat when going to bars and hotel lobbies. He wears the hat in private but lacks the confidence to wear it in public. In the quote Pheobe puts the cap on Holden as a way of saying that this hat gives you the confidence of living in a phony adult world with some integrity, therefore wear it. This is a vital moment of innocence and change. This discovery of that hat representing a shield of innocence against the adult world is also associated with the red hair of Pheobe and Allie.#Self Discovery, cooperative discovery, discovery of innocence #symbolism
“I sort of started pretending I had a bullet in my guts” The anger that Holden expresses in the quote shows that he cannot express his real hurt. He can’t seek revenge since he is weak and instead glorifies his failures and uses them to express his anger against the world around him. Ironically this alienates him more. He cannot accept the phoniness in himself. This is an endless cycle of turning his anger into failure. #Alienation #Irony and motif
“Boy i was shaking like a madman. I was sweating too. When something pervert like that happens, I start sweating like a bastard. This stuff has happened to me 20 times since I was a kid” Holden suffers and throughout the novel he never truly discovers the source of all of his problems despite what other characters suggest. It is implied that he might have figured his problems out at the end of the story after Holden has his mental breakdown and even in the mind of the present non-retrospective Holden who narrated to us. It is a common case of blaming the victim. The audience upon close analysis can discover that some of the sources of Holden’s problems are of his Childhood sexual abuse and possibly the death of his brother, Allie. It could be implied that Holden does discover himself by the end of the novel however he explicitly states that he doesn’t want to talk about the events that led him to the mental hospital#Audience oriented discovery, lack of discovery for Holden #Hyperbole,repetition, simile
“I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old phoebe went around and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth” The phrases “damn happy” and “around” are repeated. The repetition of the phrases places great emphasis on Holden’s moment of epiphany. He finally experiences a moment of happiness and pulls himself away from the misery of the adult world. It is often argued that Holden never changes as a character but he does change in that moment of the plot. Holden comes to the realisation that Instead of permanently leaving the world of innocence life is like a cycle of travelling to and from innocence unlike what he thought previously. Holden, the boy that wants nothing to change is finally happy when he sees his sister ride the carousel over and over in a circle. The carousel is an important symbol to how Holden discovers that life isn’t a timeline from innocence to corrupt adulthood but rather a cycle to and from innocence.#Spiritual discovery, self discovery #Symbolism and repetition
Catcher in the Rye ducks quote “happen to know where they go, the ducks, when its all frozen over”(symbolism and allegory)
“Now tis is true I must be confined here by you” – Prospero Prosepro discovers a sense of responsibility and is part of his forgiveness of taking the role of honour. His denial of responsibility transforms into an epiphany where he realises only by admitting his wrongdoings and realising his control of other people through other people’s action he can truly be free. Prospero discovers himself and his humanity throughout the play. Part of that process his renouncing his magic.. This self discovery transforms his perspective and allows Prospero to give positive effect to the world around him by ceasing in malevolent action against his enemies and destroying his magic#Self Discovery, forgiveness over revenge #Aside and soliloquy
“I’ll break my staff and bury it certain fathoms in the earth” The word choice of ‘Break’ gives a aggressive and negative mood this is a opposite and used for emphasis like a drug addict is ‘breaking away from his habit that confines him. Euphemism (like breaking chains) of now alone soften the harsh reality this makes the audience think more in depth to question their morals as he just wasn’t alone? Prosepro discovers a sense of responsibility and is part of his forgiveness of taking the role of honour. His denial of responsibility transforms into an epiphany where he realises only by admitting his wrongdoings and realising his control of other people through other people’s action he can truly be free. Prospero discovers himself and his humanity throughout the play. Part of that process his renouncing his magic.. This self discovery transforms his perspective and allows Prospero to give positive effect to the world around him by ceasing in malevolent action against his enemies and destroying his magic#Self Discovery, Epiphany during the denouement #euphemism, mood, tone, word choice
“I’ll seek him deeper than e’er plummet sounded and with him there lie mudded” This is an example of a negative discovery. Although what Alonso has discovered is false, it appears that he still experiences remorse from committing crimes against Prospero. This carries over later on when he begs Prospero for forgiveness. The question is raised on whether he’s sorry for committing crimes and usurping against Prospero or sorry that as a result of his actions his son disappeared. #Self Discovery, negative discovery, false discovery #tone, metaphor, word choice, paradox
“(sings) full fathom five thy father lies. Of his bones are coral made…. but doth suffer a sea change into something rich and strange” When Ferninand is approached by Ariel he discovers his of his father’s false death by Ariel talking of his burial and his bones turning into coral and his eyes turning into pearls and undergoing a ‘sea change’ (tempest and sea imagery). However the song still holds metaphorical truth that will cause a ‘sea change’ into something “rich and strange”. This foreshadows and leads to audience to initially discover Alonso’s eventual repentance.#Magic and Verisimilitude, Negative discovery, false discovery, inception for future discovery #metaphor, imagery, foreshadowing
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our life is rounded with a sleep” – Prospero Prospero in this quote tells Ferdinand that life will dissolve just like the play had and that life is dream that stretches from sleep before birth to sleep after death. Images such as what this quote projects allows the audience be stimulated on what is real and what isn’t and whether the play is a product of someone else’s dream. You never really know whether the play is a dream or not. There is a theory that suggests that the Island is a state of limbo between the worlds of reality and illusion. It allows the audience to adopt a solipsist view on whether the world around them is real and not real.#Magic and Verisimilitude #Motif of sleep and dreaming
“Remember, first to posses his books; for without them he’s but a sot” What this particular scene is pointing out is that the books Prospero possesses are a symbol of his magical power. The books specifically allowed Prospero to discover his power. They also represent Prospero’s withdrawal from reality. When Prospero finally gives up his books he does it so he can enter reality again. This symbol has the effect of representing the fine line between reality and magic as well as power.Prospero make the discovery by the end of the play that his books us what is holding him back from reality. The audience also comes up with the idea that the books and magic is what got Prospero in trouble in the first play#Self Discovery, Magic and Verisimilitude #Symbolism
“the rarer act is in virtue than in vengeance” The use of alliteration highlights Prospero’s choice of forgiveness over vengeance. After Ariel’s report on the magical effects of Sebasitan, Antonoio, Alonoso and Gonzalo, Prospero decides to choose merciful justice.Prospero truly discovers the dire effects of his magic on his enemies. This is a self-discovering pivot point in the plot where Prospero experiences an epiphany and ends up deciding on releasing his enemies and to attempt to forgive them. #Self Discovery #Aliteration and emotive language
“For you, most wicked sir, whom I call my brother would infect my mouth, I do forgive” This quote speaks volumes since even though Prospero attempts to forgive his enemies sincerity is still lost when he speaks these words. His demand of his dukedom is another example of his apathy..The audience makes a discovery through the plot on Prospero’s contradictory emotions from his real intentions (of forgiveness). The audience makes a discovery on whether revenge is still within Prospero’s heart after releasing his enemies.#Forgiveness over revenge, reconciliation, audience discovery #hateful, juxtaposing tone, imperative and command
“Thy dukedom I resign and do entreat thou pardon me my wrongs. But how should Prospero be living here?” Alonso begs Prospero for forgiveness however it is implied within past instances of dialogue with Alonso that this beg for forgiveness may not be genuine since the statement of being pardoned is matter-of-fact and perfunctoryThis implied, doubtful beg for forgiveness can lead to the discovery for the audience on why Alonso regrets his actions of usurping Prospero. The audience may infer that the reason why Alonso regrets his actions Is because it had lead to the disappearance of his son. However this all changes when he discovers of his son’s survival. Thus a paradox is created his Alonso sorry for his actions, or is he sorry for the implications of his actions (his son’s disappearance)? . #Forgiveness over revenge, ambiguous discovery #imply/infer, Paradox
“Yes, for a score full of kingdoms you should wrangle, and I would call it fair play” This is when Prospero reveals to Alonso Miranda and Ferdinand playing chess behind the curtain. The chess game represents Prospero capturing the king and reprimanding him for his treachery. He has used the political manoeuvre of marrying his daughter to Alonso’s son without his knowledge. Prospero has captured the King. At this point in time Ferdinand’s survival and his marriage to Miranda was discovered by Alonso. The chess game reflects the game being over for Alonso and Prospero because the implications of this discovery is that Alonso will not have to upset Prospero’s dukedom to which Ferdinand is heir. #Forgiveness over revenge, Positive discovery #symbolism
“Sometimes a thousand twanging instruments will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices…. I cried to dream again” Caliban is predisposed as savage, crude by Prospero. Sympathy is lost when the audience finds out on how he attempted to rape Miranda. As the play further progresses it becomes apparent that Caliban isn’t the superficial appearance he is described as. He is a very complex, black and white character that shows intelligence and wit. However, even if he has the savage characteristics he is still bestial and instinctual. The audience then discovers that their prejudices upheld against him are unreasonable and rather comparable to Elizabethan prejudices not.#Colonialism, Magic and Verisimilitude, Audience discovery #natural imagery
You taught me language, and profit on’t is I know how to curse” – Caliban The conceptual link between the idea od discovery is that it can be confronting and provocative and be viewed and challenged from multiple perspectives. In the play Shakespeare shows us the European discovery of foreign land was fraught with moral and ethical problems. This is shown through the example of how Prospero treats Caliban. The discovery of Prospero’s language by the enslaved Caliban is a double edge sword. Although it’s a means of communication with his master he is condemned. This theory ignores the attempted rape of Miranda. In this post-colonial theory Prospero symbolises a rich, manipulative European colonial who wants to enslave the natives of African and Caribbean nations. #Eye opening discovery for the audience, Colonialism #(Symbolism)
“The current trend is discovering unpolluted ecological havens and observing nature prior to human intervention” – Babis Bizas Babis Bizas describes discovering locations unscathed by other humans making it more desirable experience new locations in a different way. It implies that the human intervention is problematic for these havens. #Allegory
” What’s the point of going somewhere if you’re not prepared to got on the street to meet the local people and shake their hand?” – Babis Bizas He challenges how others perceive discovery. Most people have the façade that arriving and bathing and relaxing at beaches, taking pictures of attractions is the only thing to discovery in new locations when that perspective is highly superficialBizas justifies his methodology of discovery because he finds the conventional holiday that most people embark lacks the visceral connection that Bizas commonly experiences with nature and the people of the country. Bizas opens his opportunity for discovery by understanding the people, culture and nature of all locations he visits. #Rhetorical Question, emotive language
“That’s the way it goes: The more you travel the more you discover” Babis Bizas This is paradoxical because the Bizas initially thought that at the age of 22 the only way to discover the world is to visit just 30 countries. In actual fact although visiting every country in the world what he knew that remains to be seen is more than he has seen. The more you discover, the more discovery opportunities arise – domino effect. Without the initial discoveries people can remain ignorant.
“There are those who want a career, others want a family. I wanted to discover the world with a backpack” – Babis Bizas He juxtaposes the types of people in the world and how he repelled predispositions such as his father wanting him to follow him in his footsteps to become a banker. #Juxtaposition
“I made plenty of sacrifices, but the excitement of exploration always prevailed and I felt that nothing could stop me” – Babis Bizas This showcases his passion for discovery the fact that he is willing to sacrifice comfort, clothing, material goods and even safety at times higlights his deep motivations to discover as much of the world as possible #Emotive language
“And to my state grew stranger, being transported/And rapt in secret studies.” – Prospero Prospero reveals one of the reasons he may have been usurped. This is an eye opening discovery for the audience since Prospero doesn’t realise the error of his ways in subtext and was actually a self-indulgent ruler It takes till the end of the for Prospero to discover the errors of his ways by realising his magic kept him back in the first place and that they’re based on illusions and separate him from humanity.#Self Discovery, Magic and Versimultude #Subtext
“contract of true love” The Rainbow Goddess, Iris in the masque. Symbolises that the storm is over and hope has returned. This signifies how Prospero’s realisation of the power of forgiveness can end the storm. Iris’ purpose is to celebrate a “contract of true love”. A prime instigator on providing reconciliation by marrying Ferdinand with Miranda. A dramatic technique to set this up would be to have Iris dressed in a rainbow costume to visually communicate the symbol.#Symbolism, Dramatic technique – costuming
“Not a hair perished” This quote that was said when Prospero was asked of whether the mariners are safe. it is a biblical allusion to Christ (Luke 21:18: ‘not a hair of your head shall perish’ ) which foreshadows that Prospero’s intentions are grand, epic and ultimately benevolent (the revenge to forgiveness interpretation of the play.)#Allusion #Foreshadowing Irony#Magic and Versimultude
“Blow till thou burst thy wind, if room enough!…You may mar out labour” The Tempest in the scene is representative of Propero’s magical power and his anger and lust for vengeance. The use of Prospero’s magic and the tempest as a metaphor for childbirth foreshadows the discoveries that Prospero’s enemies will experience.The imagery of pregnancy, labour and delivery aptly foreshadows the birth of emotional and spiritual understanding Prospero’s enemies will experience during their three hour sojourn on the isle.#Symbolism #Metaphor #Magic and Versimultude
“You cram these words into mine ears , against the stomach of my sense” – Alonso This is Alonso’s response to Gonzalo when he attempts to explain that their garmentnts were not so fresh when they were first worn. The dramatic irony is that Gonzalo almost had an impetus of the discovery of Prospero’s magic and the supernatural aura of the island yet remains ignorant because of his grief.The diversion of the discovery of magic in this case happened because of Alonso because of his emotions.#Dramatic irony #Magic and Verisimilitude
“Three men of sin …The name of Prosper; it did bass my trespass” – Ariel Ariel enters as the symbol of a harpy and this symbolises how Ariel as a enchanted being takes the form of a harpy as the symbol of divine punishment by Prospero. This thus visually represents Ariel’s purpose on stage and gives indication that Ariel is foreshadowing punishment and justice on behalf of Prospero. Prospero has fulfilled a vital element of his grand design: creating understanding within the Neapolitan king via discovery for the wickedness of his actions twelve years later.#Symbolism #Magic and Verisimilitude
“Prospero traces out a circle on the stage” This symbolises that the revolution against the Duke of Milan has come ‘full circle.’ Prospero has entrapped his enemies in circular ‘isle’ analogous to his own island prison. The men are trapped within a metaphorical womb of time and soon to be delivered, reminding responders of the multiple imagery of pregnancy, labour and birth in the opening of the scene of the sea storm. Characters are to be reborn through discovery. The transitional nature of being in-utero and the womb’s anility to paradoxically promote growth within a water-bound carriage is an apt metaphor to symbolise the transformative qualities of discovery. Miranda’s loss of innocence at the shipwrecking of the crew is moreover a metaphorical impregnation of her mind, eventually leading her to her ‘brave new world’.#Symbolism and extended metaphor, stage directions #Magic and Verisimilitude
“Ariel, fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell. I will discase me, and myself present as I was sometime in Milan” The link between the concept of discovery and this traversed idea is that discovery is a process of deliberate and careful planning evoked by curiosity, necessity and wonder (discovery may be emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual) and that discovery may lead to new worlds and values, stimulate new ideas and offer renewed understandings and perceptions of ourselves and others. Shakespeare is presenting himself to the world as a dramatist capable of creating continual revelatory discoveries and metamorphosis of his characters on stage and, in turn, the emotional, intellectual and spiritual discoveries of his audience.There is a theory that holds that the play conception of the theatre as a type of private world controlled by the playwright. I equates Prospero’s isle to Shakespeare’s stage. It is the idea that playwrights have such control of their stage that they are equivalent to a magician in their ability to inspire and control events. Shakespeare created intended effects with his characters and cast a type of hypnotic spell upon his audience.#Extended Metaphor # Magic and Verisimilitude
“I prithee now, lead the way without any more talking. The King and all our company else be drown’d/we will inherit here” The drunken language or Stefano and Trinculo is caustic in their mocking of Caliban such as calling him a ‘strange fish’. The wo of them are deluded in their desire to seize the throne and the audience thus experiences dramatic irony in recognition that they are manipulated by Caliban.Shakespeare mocks the European notion of discovery and ownership of foreign land especially when it comes to disputed lands seized upon of accidental conquest. The audience then ascribes to the post-colonial view of discovery. #Dramatic Irony #Colonialism
“The never-surfeited hath caused to belch you up” The extended metaphor of the biblical story of Jonah and the whale continues. The effect of this is due to the fact that Prospero is seen as the Hebrew god Jehovah and the sea/tempest is the devouring whale. The sea is the divine digestive tract of where Prospero’s enemies have been stranded by destiny until they repent for their crimes (the revenge to forgiveness interpretation.)#Allusion and extended metaphor # Magic and Verisimilitude #Destined Discovery