Transitioning In The Story Of Tom Brennan

An individual’s process of transitioning into a new social context can be very daunting and challenging as they journey into the unfamiliar. However, this process can also offer growth as it allows an individual to acquire a renewed perception of their own identity and the world around them; this can also be strengthened the individual’s relationships, intensifying this growth for the individual. This is explored in J.C. Burke’s novel “The Story of Tom Brennan” (2005) and Tim Winton’s short story “Neighbours” (1985) where both authors implement a range of techniques to explore the growth of the protagonist’s despite their confronting transition into a new social context.

The challenging nature of transitioning can result in an individual

“The Story of Tom Brennan” explores the confronting nature Tom’s experiences as a result of his Brother, Daniel, being sentenced to prison. Tom’s pain transition into this new environment with his family in pieces, conveys how transitioning can be confronting. “There aren’t words to describe how black and empty that pain felt. It was deeper than the darkest hole. It had no beginning and no end”. The motif of darkness that fully consumes Tom reveals his current emotional state as the bleakness of the situation leaves Tom feeling unable to deal with the situation, highlighting how the confronting nature of the transition has left Tom with a depressed perspective of the situation. However, Tom gains a new perspective of his situation which is evident through the motif of running, which gives him time to talk about dealing with his problems with his uncle, Brendan. The motif of running is therapeutic for Tom as he learns to overcome his fear of facing the past and allowing himself to let go of burdens that come with it. “I’d zone out, the weight of my thoughts shredding with each kilometre, like layers of skin falling onto the track, leaving an empty shell”, the imagery of Tom’s skin leaving a shell on the ground highlights that through his relationship with Brendan and their therapeutic sessions running, he has been able to put the past behind him and grow to develop a new perspective. Furthermore, Tom’s relationship with Chrissy is the final stage of Tom’s emotional recovery, allowing him to become himself again. “That was the morning we swam and loved each other and that was the morning Tom Brennan came back, forever.” The use of third person coupled with the high modality of “forever” shows that his love with Chrissy has allowed him to come back to his old self. Thus,