HSC Area of Study: Discovery

Swallow the Air, Tara June Winch

Swallow the Air is a collection of interlinked short stories written by Tara June Winch,
which describes the journey of protagonist May Gibson, a half-Aboriginal (of the
Wiradjuri tribe) half-white teenage girl. May leaves home in search of her ancestral
family following her mother's suicide and a breakdown in her home life with her brother,
Billy, and her Aunt. The narrative follows her journey from Wollongong to Sydney, to
Darwin and to her traditional homeland along the Lachlan River.

Quotes Connected to Discovery:

Chapter 1: Swallow the Air
Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery: Discoveries can
be sudden and unexpected. They may be far reaching and transformative.
During this first chapter we learn about Mays mother: her feelings for her children
(telling us again that she loved us p3) Her indigenous cultural heritage as told through
Dreaming stories (munji was his name Or so Mum would say p4) and the deep impact
that suicide has upon her family (sister, son and May, quote and Billy cried too pg 8)
Language techniques
Metaphor: wore worry on her wrists, She was head sick: the innocence of May,
also the influence of Aboriginal - English to explain terms such as mental illness.
Motif: the water (ocean) is a representation idea connected to aboriginal identity
and culture.

Chapter 2: Grab
Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
The theme of discovery within chapter 2 encompasses the ideas of personal, historical
and cultural discoveries.
- Bad luck until she won the Tip Top Bread Grocery Grab. After the win,
everything seemed to be a gamble, a game. (pg 13) This quote connects to the
idea that discoveries and their ramifications may differ for individuals and their
worlds. June refers to the consequences as a gamble, a game to highlight the
lack of thought process and intention that is associated with the discovery. Aunty
uses this win, this newfound discovery of luck/hope as an excuse to gamble her
life away.
- We saw her start to panic and skip a bunch of aisles, targeting the trolley
towards the frozen food section. (pg 15)
- We dont even own a bloody freezer! (pg 15)
These quotes symbolise the lack of thought and consideration linked to the future
consequences. This concept alludes to the colonisation of Australia, the first fleet
arriving and colonising land without considering the sacredness of the land for the
Aboriginal people.

How does Tara June Winch explore the concept of Discovery in chapter 2, Grab?
Statement Technique
The theme of discovery Metaphor
within chapter two
encompasses prominent
ideas relating to both
personal and historical
discoveries.
Discoveries are Imagery
explored in chapter two
Grab through a sense
of personal necessity.
June enforces this
concept of exploring
discoveries through vivid
imagery.
The authenticity Colloquial
generated through language
language emphasises
the concept that
discoveries can be
challenged when viewed
from different
perspectives and their
worth may be
reassessed over time.
Chapter 3: Cloud Busting
Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
During this chapter we learn about Mays mother's childhood of kindness, which a
discovery can be intensely meaningful in ways that may be emotional. Cloudbusting is
Example Effect
After the This quote connects to the
win idea that discoveries and
everything their ramifications may differ
seemed to for individuals and their
be a game, a worlds. June refers to the
gamble. pg consequences as a game, a
13 gamble as an allusion
towards the colonisation of
Australia. This reference
therefore suggests the
historical mistakes white
settlers made, not
considering the sacredness
of the land for Aboriginal
people and therefore taking
before considering the future
consequences.
Her finger The deliberate use of
wrapped imagery propels the notion
tight over the that discoveries can be
trolley intensely meaningful in ways
handle, light that may be emotional. The
brown vivid imagery stimulates
knuckles ideas of necessity, wrapped
pushed over tight, brown knuckles pushed
from the over the grip. This gives the
grip pg 14 effect of urgency, and
personal want, which evokes
an intense emotional
response.
We dont Colloquial language enforces
even own a the idea of individuals
bloody reacting differently to
freezer pg discoveries and its
15 ramifications. Colloquial
language also allows for
characterisation, meaning
readers can easily interpret
and understand the effects it
has on distinct characters.
Link to question
The theme of discovery is
therefore explored through
language devices such as
metaphors. Through this, the
ramifications of a personal
discovery can have far
reaching effects on both the
individual and others,
symbolising past historical
discoveries which had
substantial effects on the
greater community.
Discoveries are therefore
explored through the power of
imagery, which ultimately
provides readers with greater
understandings and
emotional awareness.
Through this, intense emotion
is portrayed, allowing for both
characters and readers to
experience fresh and
meaningful encounters.
This allows for greater
awareness of the far reaching
impacts that discoveries can
induce. Lastly, colloquial
language allows for individual
characters to communicate
their personal, spiritual and
cultural diversities, this gives
reason behind the exploration
towards a new discovery.
 seeing the good in things that normally may not be very positive, this impact of these
discoveries can be far reaching and transformative for the individual.

Chapter 4: My Bleeding Palm

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery. Discoveries can be
confronting, and can lead us to new worlds. Discoveries can be physical and emotional.
During this chapter chapter we learn about Mays ability to place her mind in a totally different
world. The popping buttons over my back take me elsewhere. Bubble wrap. Lemonade burps as
Billy and me push each plastic blister between finger and thumb, choking on each others
laughter. Popping giggles silence violent grunts.

Winch offers an escape for the audience and May who resort the beach for solace during her time
of abandonment, shown in the imagery, the tide is flowing in... I know I am home. Yet such
connections are compromised by the antagonism she encounters at the beach shown in the
expletive, fuck off coons and depicts the racial barriers despite a 20 th century context.
Furthermore, her rape on the beach is conveyed through the rapists colloquial language, this
gunna show ya where ya dont belong dumb black bitch to exemplify the aggression and hatred
of white Australians towards Aborigines which forces the audience to understand the pain she
deals with due to her ethnicity and further strengthens her sense of isolation. The violence of the
alliterated black bitch dramatises the experience and is felt more painfully by May than the
physical pain of her slashed palms to further convey her suffering and reinforce her sense of
isolation within society. Winch portrays how barriers can exacerbate an individuals sense of
alienation and offer no respite.
How does Tara June Winch explore the concept of discovery in this chapter?
Statement Technique Example Effect Link to question

New understandings and Characterisation The popping Mays mental strength is

strength. Experiences buttons over my highlighted
strengthen the individual back take me
elsewhere

Can occur under extreme
and difficult situations or
events.
Colloquial language this gunna show Exemplify the aggression and
ya where ya dont hatred of white Australians
belong dumb towards Aborigines which
black bitch forces the audience to
understand the pain she deals
with due to her ethnicity and
further strengthens her sense of
isolation.

Alliteration black bitch Dramatises the experience and

is felt more painfully by May
than the physical pain of her
slashed palms to further convey
her suffering and reinforce her
sense of isolation within
society.

Imagery the tide is flowing Offers an escape for the

in... I know I am audience.
home

Onomatopoeia pop...pop...pop. Lets the audience know that the

raping is over
 Chapter 5: Bushfire
Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
Through her description, the sense of place is highlighted. With imagery, the connection
between aboriginality and the land is shown.
... these parts are famous for their leeches, or used to be anyway. She said that the old
people used to trade them this reference to past aboriginal people and their use of
the land shows the connection aboriginals had with the land, but also shows how may,
although she knows the stories and is told of the traditions, she does not take part in
them, a disconnection.
At the entrance to the miners track, beside the strangling figs and purple lantana
The descriptions cover all senses, describing the smell of the of fire from the land, the
feel of the dry ground, the colours or lackthereof and how everything looks.
Significance of culture is shown through retelling of aboriginal customs and traditions
Connection between aboriginal life and environment
Good memories come but so do bad memories and she alludes to the negative but isnt
ready to completely rediscover them.
Chacterisation
Imagery

How does tara june winch explore the concept of discovery in chapter 5?

Statement technique example effect Link back to question

(Through the characterisation Mum said these Along Mays

stories told by parts are famous journey, she
may, we for their leeches, shapes her
discover the or used to be identity from the
effect mays anyway. She said stories she is
mother and her that the old told by her
aboriginal people used to aboriginal family
stories had on trade them
may)

Storytelling
within aboriginal
spirituality is
fundamental to
the shaping of
identity and
discovering a
sense of self

As readers, we imagery At the entrance to

discover the the miners track,
environment that beside the
may lives in strangling figs and
purple lantana
The connection personification Sweating
between the fragrance
land and
aboriginal
spirituality is
shown and the
two are shown
as one, the land
and the people.

personification The thick mangle

of brown branches
that pleaded for
rain in the
desperate dry air

Chapter 6: Leaving Paradise

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
In this chapter, we were introduced to Billy and the discovery of his medical condition,
She was just a young girl when the doctors said that her little baby might die, this
discovery impacts the characters physically and emotionally as Billy had been
affected by this since birth, which impacted himself and those around him.

It happened so fast. Wed never stepped between them. Billy pulled back Craigs arm,
grabbing at its thickness. - Discoveries can be sudden and unexpected. Craig was
known for his rage and violent and abusing behaviour, and had impacted the characters
immensely when he had hit Billy.

The more he wasnt there, the more I realised too, we were all gone, in this chapter,
May had discovered how distant her and her family actually were. This discovery was
sudden and unexpected and was confronting for both her and Billy and offered May new
understandings and renewed perceptions of herself, Craig and Aunty. Through the
conflict she knew that the violence in the family was due to Craigs rage and all Billy
wanted to do was escape with her, to leave their home and never return. May had
realised that Billy had meant it when he said Im not comin back, May, Not ever. Let's
go, again this relates back to the concept of discoveries being sudden or unexpected,
as May hadnt expected Billy to actually leave her and Aunty.

Chapter 7: To Run
Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
"I would be the mango that breaks off the stem into my dad's fingers, the apple of
his eye before I slide into the picking bag." - Wants to be related to her Father/ be
known to him; this quote demonstrates her longing of her father, wanting to be in his
hands and the apple of his eye. She aspires to go on a adventure (travel) to find her
Father in Darwin. Her dreams to discover what, who and where he really is and who he
has become is prominent within chapter seven, To Run. This chapter relates to
discovery as she attempts to discover what her father is like all these years ahead of her
vague childhood memories of him. She seeks this adventure and attempts to discover
where her roots lie (to run and find her father). Her vivid and very well described
dreams are a way of discovering herself and her train of thought imagery is used
throughout the description of her dreams. Discoveries can be fresh and intensely
meaningful.. Discoveries.. Can also be confronting and provocative, rediscovering
something that has been lost, forgotten or concealed. May (protagonist) is trying to
rediscover her father before her vague memories of him are gone and forgotten and lost.
As her father is such a touchy topic her fresh wounds of her father is a confronting topic
as she doesn't have any form of relationship with him. This chapter connects to
Discovery as her ultimate goal is to discover a chapter of her life that has been lost,
forgotten and and shoved to the side (chapter of her life meaning knowing her father).

Chapter 8: Territory
Key features of plot development
May is on her way to the Northern territory in search of her dad with Pete, a truckie.
Theyre on their way to the races. As they approach the top end of the trip Pete and May
open up about their family background with May expressing how her olive skin tone
originates from her mother's Aboriginal heritage relating to the context & development of
the plot.

Aspects of discovery represented

"If I could make it through this, I knew I wouldn't miss this feeling again. May spoke
these words as she was battling the nausea associated with the long truck drive. This
was a minor obstacle which demonstrates her determination to continue as she looked
so forward to reaching Darwin. (Self Discovery, Renewed Perception & Understanding)
"You don't look like an Abo" offers Pete a provocative and intensely meaningful insight
into Mays background as being Aboriginal. He then questions how she could be
Aboriginal when she is so white. This relates to how the society places stereotypes.

Techniques
Rhetorical questions - How could i forget him? - May flashes back to the pain that
came out of her childhood from her ruthless father's actions.
- Who was going to beat her mind? Represents her fear and paranoia as if her
mind was in constant torture.
Truncated sentences - I wouldnt miss that feeling again. If I made it through.
Represents how her sickness was not just physical but emotional as well as the
wait she has to endure in order to find her father is excessively hard and how she
was on the break of falling apart as she is unsure if she can make it through.
- Meals like this could either cure the pain or feed it. I waited. Expresses how May
is waiting to see if what she is searching for is actually the cure to her pain.
Sensory imagery - he shouted me baked beans, fried eggs, and bacon and a cup
of coffee, for the road. The grease slipped out of the edges of my lips.
Motif - The recurring Motif of the Mangoes symbolises The unattainable desire
for May to Find the family she wished she had.
Metaphor - Territory, May is entering into a new territory within her life as she is
adventuring into a new stage of her life as she is traveling to the Northern
Territory
 Alliteration - Petes Pink skin is camouflaged among the sea of red dirt.

Statement Technique Example Effect Link To Question

Rediscovering your Rhetorical How could I Demonstrates how an Discoveries are

past can evoke Questions forget him? Mays life has been expressed through the
emotional severely impacted power of Literary
experiences from from the external Devices, providing the
what has been features of protagonist and
formally lost, rediscovering audience with a greater
forgotten or something that may understanding of the
concealed. have been concealed characters,
or lost on purpose, surroundings and
with the ramifications context. Through this,
of shock and the intense rediscovering
questioning of self. occurs.

Discoveries may Truncated I wouldn't miss Helps May to create a

be sudden or Sentences that feeling again. sense of urgency
unexpected If i made it throughout the novel.
causing shock and though. Truncated sentences
intense pain to the presents a view bluntly
individual. and directly which is
used to reinforce the
idea being
communicated.

Discovering can Colloquial he shouted me Colloquial Language Discoveries allow for

offer new Language baked beans, expresses everyday renewed
understandings fried eggs, and spoken language, understandings and
and renewed bacon and a cup giving the May a perceptions of
perceptions of of coffee, for the casual, relaxed effect. ourselves. Colloquial
ourselves and the road. This then amplifies the Language allows the
external insurgency of the individual to express
environment. scenario faced. their cultural diversity,
and understanding of
the world surrounding

The way in which Motif The Mangoes The Mangoes is

an individual referred to repeatedly
discovers, can be throughout the novel
impacted by the showing one of the
cultural specific theme
backgrounds and dominating the piece.
personal The Mangoes is a
experiences. very noticeable motif
and play a significant
role in defining the
nature of the story, the
 course of events and
context surrounding
Mays life.

Chapter 10: Chocolate

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
"And it was then I thought Charlie could have been my father, or wished he was secretly,
looking up for his approval, hoping he'd lean over against my forehead with his and tell
me softly, as if I'd known all along, that I was his child." 111,112.
"our ritual" - 109
"His past, that someday, revisited, would become his home again" - 111
"Hey, trouble" - Nickname has belonging connotations
"A couple of fellas" - 113, Aboriginal connotations
"Sista" - Familial term
"Trying to round the edges" - 116, speech more similar to Joyce's.
"He never asked me where I was from either - it was an unspoken understanding." -111
"I thought about those blue suits, taking away the people I love." - 113

In this chapter May is fired from her job at Cheap Petrol

It is evident in this chapter that there is racial inequality within the chapter as May experiences
racial inequality from her boss at petrol station.
Chapter 11: Wantok
Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
Discoveries can be sudden and unexpected.
Discoveries can be fresh and intensely meaningful.. Discoveries.. Can also be
confronting and provocative, rediscovering something that has been lost,
forgotten or concealed.
The block and the city rise up and drift away like vacant echoes - Nothing stays
permanent in May's life; relates with May drifting from place to place, looking for her
family, but constantly being disappointed. This connects with the concept of discovery as
this is Intensely meaningful to May as all she wants is to find the last of her family
and settle down, not having to bounce from place to place with no security.

I know all men are bastards. Even if youre not, even if youre just too young to be
a bastard - dont worry you will be one day. - Anaphora - emphasising that from her
past experiences May discovered all men are the same, out for self gain and control
over women.

We rest in the houses as warm tropical storms light up the bruised sky. - Imagery
and personification

How does Tara June Winch explore the concept of Discovery in Chapter: 11

Statement Technique Example Effect Link to

Question
Winch presents Anaphora I know all men are
the idea that bastards. Even if youre
individuals are a not, even if youre just
product of their too young to be a
culture and bastard - dont worry
social you will be one day.
environment

Metaphor

Simile the Block and the city

rise up and drift away
like vacant echoes.

Imagery and We rest in the houses

Personification. as warm tropical
storms light up the
bruised sky.

Chapter 12 - Painted Dreaming

All of us did. 127

I had to get out of the city, get out of boxes they put you in. 129
You one of us now 131
Im leaving Im goin to find family 131
Nobodies dont need no one either! 132
One step forward, two steps back - 127
Outside the turf lapped at my feet - 130
A no-good streetie criminal

Relating Chapter to The Discovery Rubric.

Mays discoveries during chapter 12 relate closely to her personal relationships, and
follows her path to discovering that she would like to leave, to find family, and more
importantly somewhere safe. May discovers how others view her (As not much more
than a common criminal) and sets her in motion for wanting to better herself (Through
seeking to know more about her heritage and family).

How does Tara June Winch explore the concept of Discovery in chapter 12
(Painted Dreaming)

Statement Technique Example Effect Link

Tara June Winch Antithesis/ One-step This technique explores Mays

uses Mays Metaphor forward, two hopelessness, and dictates to
expressions to steps back. the audience that she is not
describe the making any progress, or
discovery of her advancing in her life. Similar to
repetitive, stalled hitting a Dead End
lifestyle.

Chapter 13: Mapping Waterglass

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
May was walking along the country road
Picked up by a man in a ute going to Wyalong
The song Brown Eyed girl forces a rediscovery of Mays deceased mother as
the begins to remember key characteristics. It brought back memories of the two
of them in the car
Memories of my mum cruising the coast road - This quote demonstrates the
process of rediscovering something that was once lost or forgotten. Memories of my
mum highlights the fondness the protagonist has for their mother. The upbringing of the
memory evokes emotion for the protagonist as something that was once lost and
forgotten is remembered
People never leave places like this, they stay the same, same neighbours, same
friends, same shops, same small town bullshit - This quote highlights the familiarity
the protagonist May has with her town,
Forty thousand years is a long time, forty thousand years still on my life

How does Tara June Winch explore the concept of discovery in Chapter 13?
Statement Technique Example Effect Link to
Question

Colloquial Give me ya
Language number, can stay
with me and me
missus, wed be
happy to have ya.
She cooks a bloody
good roast that
woman!
 Personification The land a basin of
scorched anguish
Twilight Devour

Imagery A summer storm

could swerved onto
the gravel shoulder,
grey dust swept
across the paddock
of saline orange
orchids and blankets
of white mini daisies
My mums half-
decent singalong
voice bellowing
through the Kombi,
youre my brown
eyed girl and we
used to sing

Asyndeton They stay the same

- same neighbours,
same friends, same
shops, same small
town bullshit

Chapter 14: Just Dust

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
Discoveries can be fresh and intensely meaningful in ways that may be emotional,
creative, intellectual, physical and spiritual.
Summary: In this chapter may discovers about the land and how she comes from quartz
crystals hard water.
Techniques:
Imagery: Her eyes are small slivers and they shine like fish scales. They are lucid and
kind, but almost feverish as she speaks.
Personification: the lake works like a heart
Statement Technique Example Effect Link to question

Discoveries Imagery Her eyes are Through

can be fresh small slivers the use of
and intensely and they shine imagery it
meaningful in like fish scales. lets the
ways that may They are lucid reader
be emotional, and kind, but create the
creative, almost feverish story in
intellectual, as she their head
physical and speaks. and see
spiritual. what the
author is
trying to
explain

Personification the lake works

 like a heart

Chapter 15: Cocoon

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery

Chapter 16: Bila Snake

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery

Chapter 17: Mission

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
Techniques:
Personification: Tiny arrow-shaped sign blinked in the distance
pg 166,
sadness clawed into my skin for no reason I could see
A small church flakes off its old salmon skin, revealing the
ashen wood beneath
Simile: Devotion of emotion, shuffled off to the new suburb
like secrets in pockets
the sports field looks like a rodeo pit
Metaphor: He strikes his fingers in the air, as if to burst a
bubble
Colloquial language: Whos gonna speak for em little fellas?-
Graham

Upon arriving in the Northern Territory, May searches for her

mothers side of the family. This chapter foreshadows the
missionary, focusing on the lives of many Aboriginal people since
the white settlement in Australia. The missionary is described as
a reflection of their loss of understanding spiritually and
ambiguous background, which leads to the anonymity of the theme
identity. Finally the chapter concludes with May meeting Graham
and leaving with a woman named Betty to continue her quest to
find the Gibsons. This relates to the concept that discoveries
can be fresh and intensely meaningful in ways that may be
emotional, creative, intellectual, physical and spiritual. Lastly
discoveries can be confronting and provocative, which is
demonstrated when May encounters the missionary that ultimately
symbolises the cultural and emotional destruction of all
Aboriginals.

Statement Technique Example Effect Link to

discovery

Through the act Colloquial Whos gonna Grahams words Therefore

of rediscovery, language speak for em effectively highlighting how
May is little fellas?- provoke May as rediscovering
confronted with he acknowledges what has been
the ramifications the white forgotten can
inflicted on settlement and lead to new ideas
Aboriginals. how it stole the and renewed
voice of many perceptions on
Aboriginals. past occurrences.
Through this the
reader is
educated on the
implications still
existent on
Aboriginal
culture, land and
spirituality.

Discoveries and Personification A small church Through By examining

their worth may flakes off its old personifying the this it is evident
be reassessed salmon skin, church, it that through May
over time, hence revealing the symbolises the encountering the
accounting for ashen wood pain and loss of remaining church
renewed beneath identity which she obtains vital
perspectives. still strongly knowledge of the
exists in the lives ramifications of
of myriads of the white
Aboriginal settlement.
people, families
and groups.

Unearthing what Simile Devotion of This literary Hence this

has been emotion, shuffled technique substantiates
concealed can off to the new highlights the how
account for a suburb like emotional impact rediscovering the
better secrets in of the white past renews our
understanding of pockets settlement still views and
ones self and etched upon each interpretations
others Aboriginal leading to greater
individual. It ideas about the
effectively world.
illustrates the
concealment of
affliction despite
the obvious
impacts. May
encountering this
presents her with
a clearer
knowledge and
 understanding of
the
implementations
of the European
settlement.

Discoveries may Personification Tiny arrow- The sign Therefore

be evoked by shaped sign communicates significantly
curiosity, blinked in the the elucidating how
necessity and distance commencement through curiosity
wonder and can of a new we may establish
stimulate new encounter new
speculations initiated from comprehension
about the future. Mays curiosity and ideas about
to find her future
extended family. possibilities.
The way in which
the sign blinks
at her epitomises
her enticement to
rediscover what
has been lost.

Chapter 19: Jacaranda Tree

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery
Discoveries can be fresh and intensely meaningful in ways they may be
emotional, creative, intellectual, physical and spiritual.
Discoveries and discovering can offer new understandings and renewed
perceptions of ourselves and others
Against the fence I could trace back to someones face, their mouth, their eye socket,
their ear. I tried so many times to find my mothers, but I could only pretend to recognise
her, her real face is lost. This quote depicts that May is trying to find another
connection, as she doesnt know who her mum is anymore.
I would come to the jacaranda tree, its dogwood trunk writhing through the palings. It is
symbolic of her mum and source of connection to place and family and also shows that it
is a barrier. The tree is in pain, which represents her mums pain and desperation.
Sometimes the other trees roots would be so invading that they would splinter
plumbing, unbloating reservoir. Though the jacaranda shared its ground. This
demonstrates that other people are unsettling May and wreaking her foundations
causing negative impacts.
It stayed naked for a lot of the year, until I only remembered its familiar bareness.
Vulnerability is the only thing May can remember about her mum
And then there would be none, no evidence of its beauty, only the watery stains of a
visit. Mays mother is not there anymore. There is no evidence of the good parts
anymore, people only remember her death (the end)
Cycle would enfold again,. May is worried that the cycle will continue with her or her
family
Too delicate to be touched. June was vulnerable
 Its a sacred bloody pest. It isnt meant to be here, I hate it, too pretty, shed say,
threatening always to chop it down. The connections are sacred and June/ Mays
happiness is there, every time comfort is found someone ruins that.
Purple-belled loveliness
- Personification

Statement Technique Example Effect Link to question

Imagery Against the This quote depicts that This highlights that one's need
. Discoveries can be Anaphora fence I could May is trying to find for discovery can become
sudden or unexpected, their trace back another connection, as apparent through vigilant
or they can emerge to she doesnt know who searching and the need to obtain
from a process of someones her mum is anymore. a connection with something.
deliberate and careful face, their
planning evoked by mouth, their
curiosity, necessity or eye socket,
wonder their ear. I
tried so
many times
to find my
mothers,
but I could
only pretend
to recognise
her, her real
face is lost.

. They can also be Imagery I would It is symbolic of her mum This demonstrates that some
confronting and come to the and source of discoveries can be confronting
provocative jacaranda connection to place and and challenging , as recognising
tree, its family and also shows the suffering of someone can be
dogwood that it is a barrier. The difficult to accept.
trunk tree is in pain, which
writhing represents her mums
through the pain and desperation.
palings.

. Discoveries can be Imagery Sometimes This denotes that Mays This conveys that discoveries
fresh and intensely the other mothers legacy and can be intensely meaningful and
meaningful in ways trees roots memories are being create an emotional response,
they may be would be so taken over, which as the realisation of a situation
emotional, creative, invading that wreaks Mays can be difficult to comprehend.
intellectual, physical they would foundations and causing
and spiritual splinter negative impacts, as she
plumbing, is trying to hold onto
unbloating something that needs to
reservoir. be set free.
Though the
jacaranda
 shared its
ground.

. Discoveries and Personificati It stayed Vulnerability is the only This alludes that discoveries can
discovering can offer on naked for a thing May can remember change a persons perception of
new understandings Metaphor lot of the about her mum, which others and alter the way
and renewed year, until I is symbolised through someone is viewed.
perceptions of only the bareness of the tree.
ourselves and others remembered
its familiar
bareness.

. The ramifications of Emotive And then Mays mother is not This illustrates that
particular discoveries language there would there anymore. There is consequences of certain
may differ for be none, no no evidence of the good discoveries can cause different
individuals and their evidence of parts anymore, people impacts of different people and
worlds its beauty, only remember her can lead to the discovery that
only the death (the end) changes have occurred.
watery
stains of a
visit.

Chapter 20: Home

Summary: How this chapter connects with the concept of Discovery

Mays physical and emotional pain acts as a catalyst to discover herself, her familial
heritage and her cultural identity. This is explored through Winchs effective use of the
leitmotif of Pain. I could run away from the pain my family holds is an example of this.In
order for May to reconcile her pain, learn from its experiences, and discover the full
extent of her emotional life and indigenous way of thinking, she needs to first locate and
then actively escape the sources of her pain; a broken family life, a traumatic sexual
assault and the broken dream of reuniting with her father. This pain is initially confronting
and provocative, but in Mays case it ultimately her to rediscover the lost, forgotten and
concealed elements of her indigenous heritage. Therefore, Winchs use of leitmotifs
portrays how discoveries can be fresh and intensely meaningful, confronting and
provocative and can involve rediscovering something that has been lost forgotten or
concealed.

Mays response to adversities she faced transforms the assumptions of readers about
the problematic nature of identity, memory and the ideal means to discover the inner
core of our intellectual and spiritual being. This is depicted through the recurring theme
of identity. For example, My mother knows that I am home, at the water I am always
home. Aunty and my brother, we are from the same people, we are of the Wiradjuri
nation, hard water. In order to discover her concealed Indigenous identity and
understand herself as a strong Wiradjuri woman, May deliberately sets out to discover
her past, familial origins and cultural history. Her eventual discovery of self emerges
from a combination of deliberately planned and unexpected challenges, which test her
ability to perceive the world as an Indigenous thinker, immersed in the dreamtime. Thus,
 discoveries can lead us to new worlds and values, stimulate new ideas, and enable us to
speculate about future possibilities.

Mays discoveries were dependent on her cultural and historical contexts, which lead to
the discovery of self. This is shown through Winchs use of an extended metaphor. My
mother knows that I am home, at the water I am always home. Aunty and my brother, we
are from the same people, we are of the Wiradjuri nation, hard water. The extended
metaphor used by Winch to compare water with memory and culture highlights how
Aboriginal identity is inextricably linked to the land of their origins. This historical and
cultural ideal directly impacts what and how May discovers herself. Primarily by the way
in which she considers her familial origins to be from the hard water. Winch has
explored the concept of discovery in Home as Mays discoveries and process of
discovering relied on her cultural and historical context.

Through the process of Mays discoveries, Winch has lead the reader to new worlds and
values, stimulated new ideas, and provoked speculation about future possibilities. This is
portrayed by Winchs effective use of sensory imagery. Walls compress into the ground,
rooftops twist over leveled clay, fences warn me off, pipes penetrate cement blocks,
toilets sit beside sinks in the air Is an example of this. Winchs use of sensory imagery
leaves a lasting impression on the reader as it evokes an emotional response. The use
of sensory imagery to evoke an emotional response leads the reader to new worlds and
values, stimulates new ideas, and enables them to speculate about future possibilities.

Practice and Study Questions:

1. What do the above quotes say about Discovery?
2. Do any of these quotes offer new and interesting insights into the nature of Discovery?