My Father’s Axe by Tim Winton- QUESTIONS

My Father’s Axe by Tim Winton

1.     Briefly summarise the story – its subject matter.

“My Fathers Axe” by Tim Winton takes the reader on a reminiscent journey through the eyes of the main character. The nameless characters axe goes missing, which belonged to his father, which sends the narrator on a search to find it. This search evidentially arouses the memories of his childhood. Winton writes in first person, this it allows the character to think about the past and how he became an adult. “My Fathers Axe” also investigates the relationship between the main character and each of his family members. Essentially, this short story revolves around the growing up of the main character and how his relationships have affected his journey.

2.     How does the writer establish the relationship between father and son?

“My father’s axe” refers to the complexity of the characters relationship with his father, and how time brings about different circumstances and role changes. The reader is made aware of the protagonist’s great admiration shown towards his father. These are made apparent by Winton’s use of positive comments such as “arms glistening”, “body grunt” to display the father’s power in everything that he did. The story goes on, and the reader learns that he has disappointed his father throughout life, where he talks of times when he has broken/blunted his father’s tools etc. However, he still depended very much upon his father, whom he saw as a “protector”. Winston positions the reader to see the great admiration the character had for his father, but at the same time, recognizes his faults. When the story is in the present, the parents are now starting to grow old, and there is a change brought about by the coming of age. As time goes on, the reader can recognize the deterioration that has been brought about in the father son relationship.

3.     What is the importance of the axe throughout? Is it a thing of monetary value or does it have symbolic importance? Explain.

Tim Winton allows the axe to become a symbol of his childhood relationship with his father. Throughout the story, the old axe evokes fond memories of his childhood, and how strong his bond with his father truly was. This allows the character to reflect on his past and how much his life has changed with time. The deterioration of the axe could also symbolize the deterioration of their relationship.

4.     Explain the narrator’s dreams. What is their significance?

The dreams that the narrator is experiencing are extremely detailed and ghastly. To the readers, it appears the axe has been unwrapping many old memories from the past that the narrator would rather not think about. These memories are ultimately causing the nightmares.

5.     Does the story contain a message about growing up? Identify the key values underpinning the narrative.

This story relates growing up with time. Winston reflects constantly on the stark difference between the past and present. This allows the reader to understand that changes the narrator has gone through from childhood to adulthood. The narrative, however, is of the opinion that relationships will deteriorate and form throughout this journey. He subtly depicts this by explaining the close relationship he had with his father as a child and how the has faded through life, he then, however, describes the new relationships that have formed with his own wife and son. 

6.     Discuss the significance of the story’s ending.

Towards the end of the story, a young boy and his father return the axe. The narrator, whilst receiving his old axe with gratitude, passes on his new axe to them. I believe the narrator sees a part of himself within the little boy, so passes the new axe down so the boy can experience all that the he has. He hopes that this new axe draws the father and boys relationship closer as it did with his father son relationship. He is encouraging the boy to create special memories, so one day he can look back on them, as the narrator does with his own memories.

7.     Give it an alternate title. Justify your choice.

“Time Changes Everything”. I would chose this title because I believe the story focuses on the change in the narrators relationship with his family as time has progressed. 

Creative Piece

Just as the sun begins to fade on a warm summer day, the Burleigh headland comes to life. The usual peacefulness within Burleigh is interrupted by laughter and happiness. You can almost feel the vibrations as the Sunday musicians beat their drums to a hypnotizing rhythm. As the drummers become completely absorbed in their beat, a group of fire throwers take the audiences attention. They dance across the grass with no fear of the searing fire. As the dark takes over the night, you can no longer see the waves crash into the rocks beneath you. However, the taste of salt dominates your senses. 

Writing Task Week 1

Within The Anti Drug advertisement, the concept of growing up and graduating is being depicted as dangerous. The advertisement targets the teenagers parents and influences them to help their teen make the right decisions regarding alcohol and drugs in there final schooling year. Most obviously, the text practices the use of pictures to gain the attention of the parents. From studying the picture, it becomes clear that the text is focusing on female teenagers in particular, who is choosing which path they are going to take in life. To further hold the parents attention, the advertisement includes statistics from the beginning of the text. These statistics gives the writers credibility. Within the advertisement, it is assumed that all seniors are tempted with drugs and alcohol due to excitement of graduating, therefore depicting senior year as dangerous. It then provides parents with ways you can help the teen with their decision making. One of the points includes: “SET A GOOD EXAMPLE”. This is assuming that all teenagers need a role model when growing up, or they will make bad choices. Therefore, this advertisement depicts a negative view towards growing up and thoroughly enforces that teenagers need their parents to make the right decisions and too steer clear of temptations. 

Extended response- Iago

Shakespeare’s Iago from the play Othello is an extremely complex villain, who develops various ‘versions’ of himself to embody the themes of jealousy and manipulation. The heinous crimes he sets out to achieve are unfathomable, yet without this unusual character the play itself would be little more than a light romantic drama. His heightened devious nature comes across only within his many monologues, and Shakespeare used these to evoke frustration within the audience, but to also strengthen the themes of jealousy and manipulation.

Othello is one of the most famous literary works that focuses on the dangers of jealousy. The play is essentially a study of how jealousy can be fueled by mere circumstantial evidence and can destroy lives. At the beginning of the film, it becomes apparent that Iago is jealous of Cassio’s lieutenant position; he believes that Cassio is ‘mere prattle without practice’ (Act 1, scene 1, line 26). However, Iago’s role in this theme is not only that he is jealous himself of Cassio, but that he uses other peoples jealousy’s to his advantage. This is seen through his control over Roderigo; Iago knows of Roderigo’s love for Desdemona and uses his multiple personality to appear as a friend to Roderigo. However, in reality, he is fueling Roderigo’s jealousy by telling him things like ‘Desdemona is directly in love with [Cassio]’ to eventually cause a fight between Cassio and Roderigo and obtain the lieutenant position (Act 2, Scene 1, line 210). Shakespeare positions the audience to recognize Iagos true purpose through the use of monologues. Through these monologues you can see that Iago is not the friend that he poses to be to either of these men. Therefore, Iagos jealousy of Cassio fuels many themes within the play. In Othello, jealousy takes many forms, from sexual suspicion to professional competition, but it is, in all cases, fueled by Iagos destructive personality.

Othello's villain, Iago, may be literature's most impressive master of deception and manipulation. Iago plots with consummate sophistication, carefully manipulating many characters such as Othello, Roderigo, and Cassio through the use of multiple personalities. He has the ability to orchestrate a complicated interweaving of pre-planned scenarios. Iago's deception is potent because of his patience and his cleverness. Shakespeare uses Iago’s monologues to help the reader understand the various personalities of Iago. Iago uses his manipulation of Roderigo to gain the lieutenant position, however his biggest manipulation in the play is of Othello, ultimately leading to the destruction of many characters. At the beginning of the play, Iago is seen as “most honest” (Act 2, Scene 3, line 7). He then uses this trust of many characters to deceive them. For example, Cassio’s like in Iago allows him to convince Cassio to drink, whilst both knowing full well that Cassio does not handle his alcohol well. Whilst this is happening, Iago sneakily convinces Montano that Cassio is a drunk to set up a false image of Cassio, saying “’tis to his virtue a just equinox” (Act 2, Scene 3, line 107), hurting Cassios reputation. This night then leads to a fight between Roderigo and Cassio, because Iago convinces Roderigo that Cassio was in love with Desdemona. Therefore, it is obvious that through Iago’s false personalities and ability to manipulate each character, Othello can be seen as a great tragedy.

The character of Iago is so layered that one could delve significantly deeper into his nuances and personality; however it is undeniable that Iago plays the main role in plot development within the play. Iago plays a role within every tragedy within the play, which is ultimately leaded by the jealousy and manipulation that is evident. With Shakespeare’s fine usage of techniques that hint at Iago’s haunted personality- Shakespeare is able to conjure up a complicated villain.

Pride and Prejudice questions

I have read to chapter 6 (don't worry mrs admen I have planned to finish by this time next week) in Pride and Prejudice. A general run through of the chapters thus far include the news of Bingleys arrival and the fuse between the family, the ball and Bingleys obvious love for Jane, Darcy being introduced as a rude and disagreeable individual, Jane admits her likings for Bingley to Elizabeth and Darcy begins to admire Elizabeth. There are fundamental themes that already appearing in the text, such as love and reputation. Love is obvious as the Bennets are always searching for love, it appears that marriage is an extremely important thing to these people. The reputation is also obvious through the way the characters, especially Mrs Bennet, talks.

Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter of the Bennet family, is the protagonist of the book 'Pride and Prejudice'. She appears to be the most intelligent of the Bennet sisters. She copes with her perky mother well and is close with her father. She has numerous admirable qualities- she is lovely, clear, and in a novel defined by dialogue, she can converse brilliantly. 

Although I am only a short way through the book, I am enjoying it. I like the love theme and the drama it seems to bring with it. The only think I don't like is the way it is written, as in 'olden day' speech. It sometimes confuses me. 

My Daddy's a Diver Questions.

1.     Use the checklist of short story genre requirements to assess how well the story meets these. Give specific evidence in your response.

·       Has a title- “My daddy’s a diver”

·       There is no clear goal to the character to achieve.

·       It is in a closed setting with the time period less then 24 hours.

·       The setting is used as his physical journey. It is also very descriptive and therefore easy to imagine.

·       There is no pattern the story.

·       Good use of minimal characters- Lizzie and the father.

·       There is more narration then dialogue, however, this is an effective technique.

·       Does demonstrate a balance between showing and telling

·       It does not show characterization to help achieve its purpose.

·       Uses imagery, figurative language extremely effectively.

·       Uses variation in sentence lengths such as “In this moment a man, not a fish, found himself weeping.“

·       The story does not resolve itself completely, and therefore does not surprise the reader.

·       The story is written from one perspective

·       Does not incorporate flashbacks

·       Uses a linear structure, has a beginning, middle and end.

2.     How well does the story connect with the reader? What emotions or thoughts does it elicit? How effectively does it use language to do this? Give evidence from the story in your response.

The story does not stay connected with the reader because there is no goal or twist invovled, which therefore makes it boring to read. Although he did involve emotions, they only came apparent at the beginning and end. Most of the story was based around describing the things he saw.

3.     What ideas, attitudes and values underpin this text? You may have already identified some of these in Question 2.

The central idea that underpins the story is that some people take family values for granted. Rather they should realize that many people have don’t have this opportunity to connect with their family. Running alongside this however is that attitude which is often embedded in society whereby people do not realize the importance of family. To emphasize these two elements to the audience is the key idea is that the dad is doing everything he can to supply for his daughter.

4.     What kinds of journeys do we see evidence of in this story? Explain your answer.

This short story is evident of physical and inner journeys. The physical journey embedded throughout this story is the journey of the fathers dive. He sees new things travelling from point A to B. The inner journey intertwined in the story is the relationship between the father and daughter, and also the grieving of the mans lost wife. This is apparent during the conversation between the daughter and father, and the mans thoughts at the beginning.

5.     How effective is the story as a whole?

As a whole, the story is quite effective when reaching for the reader’s emotions. The author clearly connects with the reader, which makes them intrigued in that the author has to say.