Discovery In Rainbow's End

The term ‘discovery’ can be explored and interpreted in many different ways, the meaning is created by an individual’s perception, opinion and experiences of discovery. In the book Swallow the Air by Tara June Winch and the film, Titanic by James Cameron explores the concept of discovery as an idea that discoveries can be challenging as they allow for the transformation of an individual’s perspective, and they allow for an individual to discover their true identity and the identity of others around them.

Discovery involves entering a new world in which the discoverer is changed forever. A central discovery is that of self-exploration. There is a growth to self-knowledge that accompanies the contemplation of one’s place in the world. An examination of self occurs in different guises: through a consideration of one’s emotional and spiritual aspects and a physical journey.

Turning points occur throughout the documentary affecting each character differently at varying degrees. Raye’s emotional and intellectual journey quickly caused a humanising revelation, leading audiences to recognise the true circumstances and difficulties refugees face. Captured in a close-up video style confession Raye reveals “I do understand, where she is coming from” a teary response to the Masudi’s losing a child due to inadequate resources a common ground of despair. However not all journeys are so catalytic, Raquel’s experiences consisted of negative connotations such as “no”, “ I can’t” and “I won’t" symbolising the many difficulties inherent in the discovery process. However, when Raquel is physically visiting Kenya’s refugee camp and meeting the other half of the Masudi family shot through panoramas of barren landscapes convey the depth of Raquel’s new self –awareness typified in her final summative idiom “People shouldn’t judge a book by its cover”. Therefore the composer proves that the gaining of knowledge through a shared experience triggers a series of epiphanies that lead to significant intellectual and emotional growth for both the individual and society as a whole.

Discovery is a process of uncovering the new and unknown or rediscovering and evaluating the known. Often in the quest to discover the new we are confronted and forced to re-valuate that was once lost, forgotten or concealed by our previous understanding.

Naturally varying from person to person, contexts and values can transform physical and intellectual discoveries into that of special significance to individuals, differentiating an individual’s experience and process of discovery. Simon Nasht’s documentary Frank Hurley, the Man Who Made History, and Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick express that for individuals in contexts where identity is inhibited, one’s physical discoveries can become self-discoveries by offering an escape from their context. An individual’s physical and intellectual discoveries, when driven by certain contexts and values, can become transformed into hazardous assertions of power. However, individuals across contexts and values can share an unvaried experience of a commodified

Discovery can be conveyed in texts by the representation of people, relationships, societies, places, events, and ideas. Howard Carter’s “The Tomb of Tut-Ankh-Amen” details his experience of discovery through representation of events and ideas. John Steinbeck’s “The Pearl” relates to the audience the story of the protagonist, Kino’s, discovery of the pearl, and its impact on his community, through the representation of people, relationships and society.

Many discoveries have the capacity to make people think, however, only confronting discoveries can transform someone. This statement’s truth is embodied in the engagement between the characters and audience in Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ (1611), and also between the narrator and audience in William Ernest Henley’s Victorian poem, ‘Invictus’. These texts lead to the evocation of discovery being a catalyst for renewed perspectives of ourselves and others. They additionally explore spiritual discoveries revealing how it can make an individual more intuitive and understanding. These notions demonstrate how a challenging discovery can evoke an individual to make drastic changes in their life, and a lasting impact on the people around them.

The nature of discovery embodies one’s distinguished circumstances and experiences to relegate new or reclaimed discoveries that one may come across. Hence, whether discovering something for the first time, or rediscovering something, it is our attitude towards the process of discovery that is most important. An individual’s attitude during the process of exploration is significant as it impacts upon the nature of one’s journey and therefore will shape the discovery and how one appreciates it. Prevalent in William Shakespeare’s play, ‘The Tempest’, the character’s attitudes upon their arrival in a new world, essentially contributes towards their understanding and reflection of appreciation towards their new findings primarily through the key characters of Miranda, Prospero, and Caliban through the catalyst of the thematical and paradoxical island.

Discovery comprises the understanding of uncovering something for the first time or refinding something that has been forgotten or something has not yet been explored. Disclosures can be provoking and confronting. The impact can be transformative. They are able to lead us to new worlds and values, venture new thoughts, and allow us to gamble about future possibilities. Their effect can be life-changing for the individual and for a broader community. discovery may be interrogated or confronted when viewed from different aspects and their value may be reconsidered over time.

The process of discovery is largely impacted by a shift in personal and cultural perspectives, enhancing an individual’s understanding of themselves and others in their world. Shakespeare’s 17th century tragicomedy ‘The Tempest’, explores how the disruption of the traditional order of society and the transformative power of forgiveness both facilitate personal discovery. Similarly, Peter Weir’s 1989 film ‘Dead Poets Society’ portrays how questioning one’s personal and cultural context allows an individual to gain insight into themselves and their world. Hence, both texts explore how the subversion of established beliefs can lead to self-discovery and the transformation of an individual’s worldview.

The process of discovery is often facilitated by the setting which encourages characters to discover what is

Discovery can encompass the experience of discovering something for the first time or rediscovering something that has been lost, forgotten or concealed. They can be sudden and unexpected or deliberate and carefully planned. There are many motives for discovery such as, curiosity, necessity and wonder. Discovery can be emotional, creative, intellectual, physical and spiritual. These discoveries ultimately result in new worlds and perspectives, new ideas and future possibilities and new understandings.

How many of us are inclined to change? Discoveries are a prominent example, and hence affect each of us differently, renewing our perception of the world. They can be evoked by curiosity which can be confronting and unexpected leading to discoveries of something physical, lost or forgotten. Jane Harrison’s play ‘Rainbow Ends’, explores a 1950s Australian society, where all characters undergo self discovery by overcoming cultural limitations. This allows us to follow the struggles and hardships of Aboriginals. Correspondingly, the poem ‘Ozymandias’ by Percy Shelley urges the need for us to reevaluate our future. Thus, these two texts, demonstrate how discovery is a transformative process for everyone.

A confronting discovery can have the potential to change an individual's perspective of the world, themselves and others. William Shakespeare’s comedic play, The Tempest, published in 1611, explores a man who utilises his magic to conjure a storm and bring his enemies, including his brother, to his island in order to reconcile past differences. Additionally, The Catcher in the Rye (TCITR), a 1951 retrospective bildungsroman by J.D. Salinger, concerns a seventeen-year-old boy suffering the grief and hardship of his brother’s death. As demonstrated in these texts, the nature of rediscovering can be challenging for an individual, however, can lead to new understandings of themselves and others. Furthermore, both positive and negative outcomes are a product of a transformation. Confronting and transformative discoveries emerge from past experiences, in turn, creating a transformation of an individual.

Discoveries are an intricate concept, which are influenced by many interconnected elements showing the significance of an individual’s experience of confronting and provocative discoveries to affirm or challenge assumptions and beliefs about aspects of human experience. Through physical and mental exploration, the ability to recognise the importance of discoveries is the underlying factor that determines the individual’s ability to positively or negatively transform and come to a new perspective of themselves and those around them. This notion is indicative in William Shakespeare’s 1611 tragicomedy “The Tempest”, Siegfried Sassoon’s 1918 collection of war poetry “Counter-Attack and Other Poems” and Caravaggio’s 1602 painting “The Incredulity of Saint Thomas.” All three demonstrate the experience of confronting and provocative discoveries that involve the potential to affirm or challenge assumptions and beliefs about aspects of human experience, and the ultimate implications of these discoveries on the characters.