Fly Away Peter Analysis

The novel “Fly Away Peter” written by David Malouf is a symbolic text that balances the virtues of Australia against the destructiveness of Europe as the novel is divided into two phases. By Malouf incorporating this comparison the harshness and brutality of the war is depicted against the innocence of Australia. Therefore, the language incorporated in “Fly away Peter” allows Malouf to bring his meaning to life by allowing his readers to understand his views towards Australia and the repercussion of war.

This anthology cover on the ‘Sound of War’ utilizes miscellaneous types of conflicts such as inner, physical and authority as well as the effects of war such as opposition, dehumanising and futility. It utilizes these types of conflicts and effects through symbolism, writing, colour and images which are backed up by poems and songs such as The Send Off, The Spring Offensive and the song I was only 19.

The novel Fly Away Peter expresses specific attitudes and values by encouraging the reader to identify with the central character, Jim Saddler. David Malouf, the author, attempts to expose the brutality of war and encourages readers to realise that one can be living a very sheltered lifestyle oblivious of the cruelty and negative side of life. In this text dealing with the experiences of Jim during World War I and events leading up to his signing up, the author uses biblical allusions, evocative and sensuous imagery, contrast of settings, metaphors and other characters to aid readers to establish an identity for the protagonist. It is through his central character that he communicates his disparaging perspective on war and points out

"Nursery rhymes rely on meter and rhyme to stick into our memories" ("Twinkle Twinkle"). Yet, much like our own experiences, "we do not remember just the words; " ("Twinkle Twinkle") or events, we recall the many actions and movements that bring each tale to life. Two Little Dicky Birds exemplifies this notion, as the physical actions associated with each line resemble the many travels we make throughout our lives ("Twinkle Twinkle"). Being together, exploring the world and coming home, are all stages of our lifelong journey. However, the mimicry of the characters (Peter and Paul) imply the necessity of companionship along this voyage.

The description of the opening chapter alludes to the Garden of Eden. The words used by Malouf give the reader further understanding of the beauty of the wetlands. By describing them as a ‘sanctuary’ Malouf implies that the wetlands are a safe homely place. The word sanctuary also has connotations to the church and bible which implies that the wetlands are a holy place. As the setting of the book shifts from peace to war Malouf changes the way that he uses language. Because of this the images of the peaceful wetlands are replaced with images of violence, terror and suffering. Malouf describes the aftermath of mines going of as “the mouth of Hell” these words also have connotations with the church but are not holy words. By changing the way he uses language in each half of the novel, Malouf is able to explore the differences and juxtapose the themes of war and

Throughout time humanity has relentlessly found a reason to tear itself apart. The slaughter of man is read about almost every day and one never thinks twice about it; however, when the lackluster conditions of others’ lives throughout time is conveyed via a novel or movie, we are forced to delve into the lives of those who fought tirelessly for their beliefs – even if “their beliefs” are not correlated to their own. Prime exemplum of soldiers fighting for differing causes is and attempting to save the sliver of humanity remaining is demonstrated by Paul Bäumer in “All Quiet on the Western Front,” by Erich Maria Remarque and Lieutenant Hans von Witzland in Stalingrad. While both protagonists die in the end of their works and suffer brutal warfare, their attempts to transcend the dehumanization of war may be one of the few reasons that the characters survived as long as they did.

“I think it [war] is more of a kind of fever. No one in particular wants it, and then all at once there it is. We didn’t want the war, the others say the same thing- and yet half the world is in it all the same. (206)” Erich Remarque describes how war is an odd sort of happening through Albert Kropp, one of the most intelligent young men of Paul Bäumer’s company. Remarque, himself a German World War 1 veteran, uses the characters of Paul’s company to channel his frustrations from his experiences during the war. The vivid imagery used to describe bombardments and life at the front allows the reader to visualize the reality of warfare. It’s bloody, messy, and repulsive. Extreme detail aids Remarque in exposing the atrocities of war, and its repercussions. All Quiet on the Western Front focuses on an anti-war theme, and how war itself has no purpose other than to be savage and wasteful.

The invisible paddock talked about in the first sentence is foreshadowing of the introduction of the two planes of life. Moulaf is also using symbolism. The “invisible paddock” symbolises the sky, and as later introduced the view from the sky is the second plane of life.

1.) How should war be shown in novels- as the horrible, death bringer that war is or as an act of heroism? (pg. 204-206)

The narrative examines a vast variety of topics that address the human condition. Nonetheless, the aspects of war, destiny, and humanity are the nucleus of the message transmitted. Foremost, the book in itself is an exploration of the tragedy that comes with war. The prospect of a “fairy tale” ending violently eradicated as warfare increases exponentially around the characters during the finalizing chapters. After being captured by the Allied army, Werner deliriously wonders

Erich Maria Remarque's novel All Quiet on the Western Front has successfully proven its importance and has greatly influenced many reader's opinions on war. The remarkable novel demonstrates that the destruction of war affects beyond just the physical level. It delves into the tragic experiences soldiers face during wartime and shows the consequences of war. The most important consequence of war that Remarque displays is the idea of lost generation. This is a significant theme as it occurs throughout the novel. Paul Baumer and his fellow companions share their ideas on war, experiences, and how the war has affected them and their generation through dialect. This gives readers a realistic insight of what it is like to be a soldier during World

The subject of war has been the focus of many novels throughout the years, each depicting and discussing war from a different perspective. The novel All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque tackles the topic of war in a straightforward approach. Remarque does not shy away from vivid descriptions of gruesome warfare, and is equally unyielding in his descriptions of Paul Baumer’s thoughts as he reflects on the world around him. A major aspect of Paul’s character seems to come from his ability to keep his humanity throughout the war. This term, humanity, refers to the treatment of others in a compassionate manner regardless of one’s circumstances. Despite being placed in such a grueling situation,

War is defined as a state of armed conflict within a nation or state or between nations or states. How can war be reduced to a mere conflict without explaining the vivid night terrors from the soldiers that must now live a life of psychological torment or the accumulating pressure placed on young adolescents to partake in the bloody event of the murder of human lives; furthermore, what does the definition of war imply about the societal views on the glorification of war? A Separate Peace prominently explores how war majorly affects not only the soldiers that are in the center of the war, but the civilians that live under the nation. The psychological toll that the younger generation faces is evidently shown through the causes and effects of the young men at a boys’ boarding school whose decisions are influenced by the war, such as Leper whose actions triggers an array of character development across several characters and reveals the philosophical significance of war. Leper’s role in A Separate

The idea of the book is to see how society falls without any form of structure and law, and that corruption can occur in the most innocent of people. The author uses symbolism to help the reader understand how drastic the events truly are. As the boys are put on the island, they become evil and commit horrid acts such as murder, rape, and violence. The Garden of Eden, which the island represents, is a place of God where peace and happiness occurs, but the children turn the island into a place of evil. They children commit sins on the island and cause the island, which is supposed to be a type of paradise, to fall and this is representative of the symbolism in which Adam and Eve committed the first sin in the Garden of Eden and caused the Garden to fall and lose its beauty.

In the novel Fly Away Peter, David Malouf explores the individual’s ability to transcend the immediate, and create ‘other worlds’ of his or her own: