The Theme Of Self Discovery In Tim Winton's In The Winter Dark

In Tim Winton’s novella In The Winter Dark the concept of discovery features in many different aspects including a physical discovery, self discovery and the human condition, the duality of humankind and how an individual's process of discovery can vary due to their context. This is seen through the development of the plot, which is fragmented, by using flashbacks, memories and dreams to recount the story. However Winton also uses the characterisation and background of the characters to emphasise the magnitude of the self discoveries that the characters make by contrasting their actions and values and the way they approach each situation that befalls them.

Self discovery is the most prominent and significant aspect of discovery explored throughout

He is the teller and a dreamer and it is through his eyes that the majority of the story is told. His self discovery is in response to the climax of events at the end. There are many events that lead up to the climax at the end of the novel however the plot begins to accelerate rapidly when Ida discovers the truth behind Wally’s (Maurice’s Brother) blindness. Tension is built in this scene by the cumulative imagery of negative, cold and melancholy images, which is a reflection of Ida’s emotions and mood during this scene which is contrasted with the cumulative imagery of fires which is reflective of Maurice’s emotions. “The steel-dark rain breaking up the earth, beating everything down” (Page 103) this metaphorical phrase describes the monotonous rain and melancholy setting is foreshadowing the events that are about to take place. Also the use of the word steel when describing rain aids the description of the rain, associating steel with rain would imply that the rain is coming down very heavily and it also begins to cumulate imagery around guns. Ida and Maurice then have an argument about Maurice keeping

“I went hot and cold and shimmery and saw the gun and reached for it and put a shell in it and went back to the sound. I went in there. I shot upwards in that melancholy space and saw her mouth go wide and silent as plaster sprinkled onto the bedclothes. I put the gun aside and lay on the bed.” (Page 104) The first sentence is very disjointed which is due to the short clauses which are characterised by the robotic like actions which are described in short sentences and joined by the conjunction and. The metre used in the sentence makes it seem very jumpy and his actions as he performs them are fragmented like he has rehearsed these actions. The second sentence is very short and direct, which emphasised the significance of this action. The use of the word melancholy to describe the roof indicates a feeling of pensive sadness that is present. Ida discovers the secrets that Maurice has been hiding throughout their marriage and the aptitude that he has for evil tendencies and the duality of his nature and how he is more likely to turn to physical violence before