Composers represent the paradoxical nature of the human experiences,
which invited the audience to see the world differently.
To what extent does parrett explore these paradoxes in her novel?
Introduction
Composers reveal the paradoxical nature of human experience, highlighting the power
between human relationships and emotions. In Past the Shallows (Hachette Australia,
2011), Favel Parrett unequivocally conveys the paradoxical nature of human experiences
deriving from inconsistent human behaviours which prompt reflection and provoke thought
on the impact of these familial paradoxes. The text foregrounds the paradox of childhood as
forced maturity, interrogates fatherhood as a paradoxical drive for connection, and
underscores brotherhood as vital in overcoming adversity.
Paragraph 1
Parrett’s text successfully invites the audience to reflect on an individual's forced maturity
and a paradoxical childhood that in turn, result in feelings of resignation and a loss of
innocence. In the opening chapters, Parrett introduces the harsh realities that are faced by the
Curran family which foreground the emotional weight of grief and trauma. The novel
introduces the water through the accumulation of adjectives combined with the polysyndeton
when describing the water as “Dark water - black and cold and roaring” evokes a foreboding
atmosphere that symbolises the boys’ relationship with nature and foreshadows their
emotional descent into premature maturity and loss of innocence which is further portrayed
with the auditory imagery of “roaring” intensifying this tension and unpredictable violence in
their lives. In addition, The Tasmanian setting shows Harry’s isolation through the third
person narration coupled with the juxtaposition expressed in “Everything was clean and
golden and crisp… he wished that he wasn’t afraid.” contrasts the serene landscape with
Harry’s internal fear creating irony that highlights his fractured innocence between
environment and emotion, thus proving his paradoxical childhood experience where fear
overpowers safety. Furthermore Harry’s observation of the solitary cormorant is seen through
the Parallels between Harry and the bird as well as symbolism in “And he’d never seen one
alone” Harry’s observation symbolises his paradoxical childhood, as the bird’s traditional
association with freedom and liberation is subverted into a projection of his own isolation and
despair, reflecting his deeper human desire to connect. Moreover, The novel then changes
perspective and focalises Miles through the anaphora coupled with the juxtaposition of “First
day of school holidays. First day he must man the boat alone” establishing the emotional
burden and premature pressure placed upon him, contrasting the isolating nature of his
responsibilities revealing how duty replaces joy and distances him from the carefree
experiences typical of childhood. Harry’s forced maturity burdening his adult responsibilities
is symbolised through the oversized life jacket, as the imagery of it “baggy, hung way down
past his hands” conveys his emotional displacement, with the symbolism emphasising his
vulnerability and the overwhelming expectations that strip him of freedom and burden him
with involuntary adult responsibilities thus, inviting the audience to reflect on their
paradoxical childhood innocence and forced maturity.
which invited the audience to see the world differently.
To what extent does parrett explore these paradoxes in her novel?
Introduction
Composers reveal the paradoxical nature of human experience, highlighting the power
between human relationships and emotions. In Past the Shallows (Hachette Australia,
2011), Favel Parrett unequivocally conveys the paradoxical nature of human experiences
deriving from inconsistent human behaviours which prompt reflection and provoke thought
on the impact of these familial paradoxes. The text foregrounds the paradox of childhood as
forced maturity, interrogates fatherhood as a paradoxical drive for connection, and
underscores brotherhood as vital in overcoming adversity.
Paragraph 1
Parrett’s text successfully invites the audience to reflect on an individual's forced maturity
and a paradoxical childhood that in turn, result in feelings of resignation and a loss of
innocence. In the opening chapters, Parrett introduces the harsh realities that are faced by the
Curran family which foreground the emotional weight of grief and trauma. The novel
introduces the water through the accumulation of adjectives combined with the polysyndeton
when describing the water as “Dark water - black and cold and roaring” evokes a foreboding
atmosphere that symbolises the boys’ relationship with nature and foreshadows their
emotional descent into premature maturity and loss of innocence which is further portrayed
with the auditory imagery of “roaring” intensifying this tension and unpredictable violence in
their lives. In addition, The Tasmanian setting shows Harry’s isolation through the third
person narration coupled with the juxtaposition expressed in “Everything was clean and
golden and crisp… he wished that he wasn’t afraid.” contrasts the serene landscape with
Harry’s internal fear creating irony that highlights his fractured innocence between
environment and emotion, thus proving his paradoxical childhood experience where fear
overpowers safety. Furthermore Harry’s observation of the solitary cormorant is seen through
the Parallels between Harry and the bird as well as symbolism in “And he’d never seen one
alone” Harry’s observation symbolises his paradoxical childhood, as the bird’s traditional
association with freedom and liberation is subverted into a projection of his own isolation and
despair, reflecting his deeper human desire to connect. Moreover, The novel then changes
perspective and focalises Miles through the anaphora coupled with the juxtaposition of “First
day of school holidays. First day he must man the boat alone” establishing the emotional
burden and premature pressure placed upon him, contrasting the isolating nature of his
responsibilities revealing how duty replaces joy and distances him from the carefree
experiences typical of childhood. Harry’s forced maturity burdening his adult responsibilities
is symbolised through the oversized life jacket, as the imagery of it “baggy, hung way down
past his hands” conveys his emotional displacement, with the symbolism emphasising his
vulnerability and the overwhelming expectations that strip him of freedom and burden him
with involuntary adult responsibilities thus, inviting the audience to reflect on their
paradoxical childhood innocence and forced maturity.
