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) halfwhite 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

Example

Effect

Link to question

The theme of discovery

within chapter two
encompasses prominent
ideas relating to both
personal and historical
discoveries.

Metaphor

After the
win
everything
seemed to
be a game,
a gamble.
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 game, a
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.

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
explored in chapter two
Grab through a sense
of personal necessity.
June enforces this
concept of exploring
discoveries through vivid
imagery.

Imagery

Her finger
wrapped
tight over the
trolley
handle, light
brown
knuckles
pushed over
from the
grip pg 14

The deliberate use of

imagery propels the notion
that discoveries can be
intensely meaningful in ways
that may be emotional. The
vivid imagery stimulates
ideas of necessity, wrapped
tight, brown knuckles pushed
over the grip. This gives the
effect of urgency, and
personal want, which evokes
an intense emotional
response.

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.

We dont
even own a
bloody
freezer pg
15

Colloquial language enforces

the idea of individuals
reacting differently to
discoveries and its
ramifications. Colloquial
language also allows for
characterisation, meaning
readers can easily interpret
and understand the effects it
has on distinct characters.

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.

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 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 20th 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

New understandings and

strength. Experiences
strengthen the individual

Characterisation

The popping
buttons over my
back take me
elsewhere

Mays mental strength is

highlighted

Can occur under extreme

and difficult situations or
events.

Colloquial language

this gunna show

ya where ya dont
belong dumb
black bitch

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.

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

in... I know I am
home

Offers an escape for the

audience.

Onomatopoeia

pop...pop...pop.

Lets the audience know that the

raping is over

Link to question

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

Statement

technique

example

effect

(Through the
stories told by
may, we
discover the
effect mays
mother and her
aboriginal
stories had on
may)

characterisation

Mum said these

parts are famous
for their leeches,
or used to be
anyway. She said
that the old
people used to
trade them

Along
Mays
journey,
she
shapes
her
identity from the
stories she is
told
by
her
aboriginal family

Storytelling
within aboriginal
spirituality is
fundamental to
the shaping of
identity and
discovering a
sense of self
As readers, we
imagery
discover the
environment that
may lives in

At the entrance
to the miners
track, beside the
strangling figs and
purple lantana

The connection
between the
land and
aboriginal
spirituality is
shown and the

Sweating
fragrance

personification

in

chapter

5?

Link back to question

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

emotional
experiences from
what has been
formally lost,
forgotten or
concealed.

Questions

forget him?

Mays life has been

severely impacted
from the external
features of
rediscovering
something that may
have been concealed
or lost on purpose,
with the ramifications
of shock and the
questioning of self.

Discoveries may
be sudden or
unexpected
causing shock and
intense pain to the
individual.

Truncated
Sentences

I wouldn't miss
that feeling again.
If i made it
though.

Helps May to create a

sense of urgency
throughout the novel.
Truncated sentences
presents a view bluntly
and directly which is
used to reinforce the
idea being
communicated.

Discovering can
offer new
understandings
and renewed
perceptions of
ourselves and the
external
environment.

Colloquial
Language

he shouted me
baked beans,
fried eggs, and
bacon and a cup
of coffee, for the
road.

Colloquial Language
expresses everyday
spoken language,
giving the May a
casual, relaxed effect.
This then amplifies the
insurgency of the
scenario faced.

The way in which

an individual
discovers, can be
impacted by the
cultural
backgrounds and
personal
experiences.

Motif

The Mangoes

The Mangoes is
referred to repeatedly
throughout the novel
showing one of the
specific theme
dominating the piece.
The Mangoes is a
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

expressed through the

power of Literary
Devices, providing the
protagonist and
audience with a greater
understanding of the
characters,
surroundings and
context. Through this,
intense rediscovering
occurs.

Discoveries allow for

renewed
understandings and
perceptions of
ourselves. Colloquial
Language allows the
individual to express
their cultural diversity,
and understanding of
the world surrounding

"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

Winch presents
the idea that
individuals are a
product of their
culture and
social
environment

Anaphora

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.

Metaphor
Simile

the Block and the city

Effect

Link to
Question

rise up and drift away

like vacant echoes.

Imagery and
Personification.

We rest in the houses

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

Tara June Winch uses Antithesis/

Mays expressions to
Metaphor
describe the

Example

Effect

One-step
This technique explores Mays
forward, two hopelessness, and dictates to
steps back. the audience that she is not

Link

discovery of her
repetitive, stalled
lifestyle.

making any progress, or

advancing in her life. Similar to
hitting a Dead End

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

Colloquial
Language

Give me ya 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 halfdecent
singalong
voice
bellowing
through the Kombi,
youre my brown
eyed girl and we
used to sing

Effect

Link
Question

to

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

Discoveries
can be fresh
and intensely
meaningful in
ways that may
be emotional,
creative,
intellectual,
physical and
spiritual.

Imagery

Her eyes are

small slivers
and they shine
like fish scales.
They are lucid
and kind, but
almost feverish
as she
speaks.

Through
the use of
imagery it
lets the
reader
create the
story in
their head
and see
what the
author is
trying to
explain

Personification

the lake works

like a heart

Link to question

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

Through
the Colloquial
act
of language
rediscovery,
May
is
confronted
with
the
ramifications
inflicted
on
Aboriginals.

Example

Effect

Whos gonna Grahams

speak for em words
little fellas?effectively
provoke
May
as
he
acknowledges
the
white
settlement
and how it
stole the voice
of
many
Aboriginals.
Through
this
the reader is
educated
on
the
implications
still
existent
on Aboriginal
culture,
land
and

Link
discovery

to

Therefore
highlighting
how
rediscovering
what has been
forgotten can
lead to new
ideas
and
renewed
perceptions on
past
occurrences.

spirituality.
Discoveries
Personification
and
their
worth may be
reassessed
over
time,
hence
accounting for
renewed
perspectives.

A
small
church flakes
off
its
old
salmon
skin,
revealing the
ashen
wood
beneath

Through
personifying
the church, it
symbolises the
pain and loss
of
identity
which
still
strongly exists
in the lives of
myriads
of
Aboriginal
people,
families
and
groups.

By examining
this
it
is
evident
that
through
May
encountering
the remaining
church
she
obtains
vital
knowledge of
the
ramifications
of the white
settlement.

Unearthing
Simile
what has been
concealed can
account for a
better
understanding
of ones self
and others

Devotion
of
emotion,
shuffled off to
the
new
suburb
like
secrets
in
pockets

This
literary
technique
highlights the
emotional
impact of the
white
settlement still
etched
upon
each
Aboriginal
individual.
It
effectively
illustrates the
concealment
of
affliction
despite
the
obvious
impacts. May
encountering
this presents
her
with
a
clearer
knowledge
and
understanding
of
the
implementatio
ns
of
the
European
settlement.

Hence
this
substantiates
how
rediscovering
the
past
renews
our
views
and
interpretations
leading
to
greater ideas
about
the
world.

Discoveries
Personification
may
be

Tiny
arrow- The
sign Therefore
shaped
sign communicates significantly

evoked
by
curiosity,
necessity and
wonder
and
can stimulate
new
speculations
about
the
future.

blinked in the the

distance
commenceme
nt of a new
encounter
initiated from
Mays
curiosity
to
find
her
extended
family.
The
way in which
the
sign
blinks at her
epitomises her
enticement to
rediscover
what has been
lost.

elucidating
how through
curiosity we
may establish
new
comprehensio
n and ideas
about future
possibilities.

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
Anaphora
their

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.

This highlights that one's need

for discovery can become
apparent through vigilant
searching and the need to obtain
a connection with something.

Discoveries can be
sudden or unexpected,
or they can emerge
from a process of
deliberate and careful
planning evoked by
curiosity, necessity or
wonder

They can also be

confronting and
provocative

Imagery

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.

This demonstrates that some

discoveries can be confronting
and challenging , as recognising
the suffering of someone can be
difficult to accept.

. Discoveries can be
fresh and intensely
meaningful in ways
they may be
emotional, creative,
intellectual, physical
and spiritual

Imagery

Sometimes
the other
trees roots
would be so
invading that
they would
splinter
plumbing,
unbloating
reservoir.
Though the
jacaranda
shared its
ground.

This denotes that Mays

mothers legacy and
memories are being
taken over, which
wreaks Mays
foundations and causing
negative impacts, as she
is trying to hold onto
something that needs to
be set free.

This conveys that discoveries

can be intensely meaningful and
create an emotional response,
as the realisation of a situation
can be difficult to comprehend.

Personificati
on
Metaphor

It stayed
naked for a
lot of the

Vulnerability is the only

This alludes that discoveries can
thing May can remember change a persons perception of
about her mum, which
others and alter the way

Discoveries and
discovering can offer
new understandings

and renewed
perceptions of
ourselves and others

. The ramifications of
particular discoveries
may differ for
individuals and their
worlds

Emotive
language

year, until I
is symbolised through
only
the bareness of the tree.
remembered
its familiar
bareness.

someone is viewed.

And then
there would
be none, no
evidence of
its beauty,
only the
watery
stains of a
visit.

This illustrates that

consequences of certain
discoveries can cause different
impacts of different people and
can lead to the discovery that
changes have occurred.

Mays mother is not

there anymore. There is
no evidence of the good
parts anymore, people
only remember her
death (the end)

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?