Past the Shallows Flashcards
Characters in the Curren Family
Harry, Miles, Joe, Steven (Father), Mother
Uncle Nick, Auntie Jean, Grandad
Side Characters
George (Has dog called Jake), Jeff & Martin (Boat peeps), Mr Roberts/Brian (successful fisherman)
Key Human Experiences
Family, Violence, Loss/grief, Childhood innocence, and humanities connection to natural world
Key Ideas
Memories
- power of traumatic experiences
- protective role memory can have
- painful & destructive, can erode ones sense of identity
Ocean
- reacts to the characters emotions
- strong sense of emotion, almost alive
Emotions
- grief and loss’ effect on different individuals
- people grieve differently
- dark thoughts lead to dark actions
Nature
- deep connection to nature
“Joe standing tall, eyes lost to the water”
Connection to water
“The water sucked and moved, smashed against the rocks”
Dynamic and changeable setting
“The ocean was at peace” –> “One solid, dark mass”
The appearance of the environment shifts with the moods of the characters. After Joe leaves Miles perspective of waves shift.
“Perfect” “then a change in light, sudden stillness”
Describes Ocean
- emotions & experiences don’t remain consistent
“fear and destruction”
description of the ocean
“The rise and the fall of the ocean breathing”
personification
“Just one more. Just give me one more”
Miles waiting for waves, also relate to his wish of more memories with harry
“Water that was always there. Always everywhere. The sound and the smell and the cold waves making Harry different.”
…
What is the main structures of this text?
Non-linear (flashbacks) and Cyclical structure (begins where it starts)
“Out past the shallows, past the sandy-bottomed bays, comes the dark water - black and cold and roaring. Rolling out an invisible path, a new line for them to follow.
To somewhere warm.
To somewhere new.”
Cyclical structure, repeated at start and end of the novel.
What perspective does this novel come from?
Perspective and point of view from children. First person alternating between Harry and Miles. Naive perspective of a child.
Paradox
Ocean is livelihood and recreation of the Curren family, but ultimately destroys what family unit they have.
Paradox
Ocean is livelihood and recreation of the Curren family, but ultimately destroys what family unit they have.
Aspects from Common Module
Texts represent individual and collective human experiences
Examine how texts represent human qualities and emotions associated with, or arising from, these experiences.
Explore how texts may give insight into the anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistencies in human behavior and motivations
See the world differently, to challenge assumptions, ignite new ideas or reflect personally.
“Ripples of soft sand, balls of loose seaweed flying free and weightless. The black rock and reef hiding thin beneath the sand.”
…
“He felt the lines punch hard underneath him, pick him up like he was just a reef”
Simile
“The rain sliced down through the air at a sharp angle so that the drops hit your skin like cold bits of gravel.”
Simile
Duality of nature and the complexities of Family Relations
…
“The cliffs behind were like giant guardians standing tall”
Simile
“Miles knew the water. And he knew not to trust it.”
Repetition and symbolism
“rolling hills” and “giant troughs”
Visual Imagery
