Changing Perspective

Although change can be good and bad, any change is better than no change, it is an unpredictable aspect of life. Sally Morgan’s autobiographical novel My Place shows the changes towards Aboriginals and how three different generations deal with change. Similarly, my related texts The Door and the unseen text have reinforced that any change is better than no change. These texts have altered and informed my understanding of the concept towards changing perspectives. Changing perspectives is better than no change at all. This is shown in my core text My Place, as Sally Morgan’s perspective changes from seeing her world as being an Indian to seeing the world as an Aboriginal. As a child Morgan was lead to believe that she was Indian after consulting her mother about their nationality because her peers “Didn’t want us pretending we were Aussies where we weren’t” this is ironic because they are native Australians. Morgan wants to find more out about their nationality but Daisy retaliates “You’re tryin’ to trick me again”. Daisy has seen a different perspective of change to Glady and Sally. Daisy was taken away from her mother, had her daughters taken away from her, been treated “like a beast in a field, a work animal, nothing more”, whereas Glady was taken away from her mother not knowing why.

Daisy and Glady “decided we would definitely never tell the children they were Aboriginal” because they were scared that the Welfare lady might “come and take them away” that would have killed Daisy and Glady. When Glady told Sally that they we Aboriginal (“We’re Aboriginal, aren’t we Mum?”) she is happy to know the truth and is no longer being protected by a “little white lie”. This changed Sally’s perceptive quite literally, from being Indian to Aboriginal. This change also allowed Sally to find her place in the world, she finally felt like she belonged somewhere. Glay also changes her perspectives, feeling that it is time to tell Sally the truth. Daisy as well changes her perspective by telling Sally a bit about her life growing up. The change in perspectives hurt people like Daisy as she told her secrets, but it was better she told Sally, so Sally had a better understanding on why Daisy has a resentful perspective on the government. The text My Place has altered and helped me understand why people change their perspectives on the world. Furthermore my related text The Door by Miroslav Holub, has also assisted with my understanding of changing perspectives.

The Door suggests that we should welcome change even if it’s “a dogs rummaging” or just “a draught” at least you have experienced change. We can’t predict what is going to be on the other side of the door, but as The Door suggests we should open up to change it is better than sitting on the inside with everything around you changing. By opening the door we are able to change our perspectives, because we are opened up to a new environment with different situations. “The door” is an extended metaphor which is a symbol of a barrier a symbol that restricts us from changing. The door is also seen as a gateway of opportunity and change. The use of repetition and imperative tone “Go and open the door” creates a sense of urgency to go and open the door.

The lack of rhythm, rhyme and uniform structure is to help create a more personal tone with the reader. The lack of rhythm allows the poet to make certain words stand out, like in the last stanza, it creates a dramatic effect. My related text The Door has helped with my understanding of changing perspectives in general. My core text My Place and my related text The Door share the same ideas about changing perspective. The both suggest that change opens up more doors, Sally finding out about her culture and being able to open up a door to unknown opportunities. They show how important the change in perspectives is within our lives.