Away By J. D Salinger's The Catcher In The Rye

An individual’s perceptions of the world and the understanding of themselves can be cultivated through their experiences and outcomes of their discovery. Michael Gow’s, away focuses on Coral, an emotionally unstable woman who grieves the death of her son; turns to solitude and alienation. Whilst, Holden Caulfield, a teenage boy who struggles to conform into society, by avoiding the transition into adulthood as a result of the death of his brother in J.D Salinger’s, The Catcher in the Rye. Both text exemplify the ramifications of confronting discoveries, leading individuals to seek isolation as a form of self-protection from society.

In Michael Gow’s, away, Corals perception of herself and the society around her is drastically impacted by confronting discoveries. Coral’s mental health rapidly declines after the discovery of her son’s death; causing her to transform into a detached person who is blinded by grief leading her to isolate herself from society. This is depicted through Gow’s use of a simile and symbolism in the quote: “I can’t go on turning up at school functions, if
Coral gains the ability to live past her painful discovery as she accepts the outcomes and re-joins society by mending her fractured relationship with Roy. Corals newfound ability to move past her discovery is depicted through Gow’s use of symbolism throughout the stage directions as Roy buries his face in the shells in Corals hands... he kisses the shells and her hands. The stage directions shared between Roy and Coral symbolises her ability to reconnect with her husband and the world around her. The genuine affection showed towards one another suggests a change in family dynamic and the healing of their fractured relationship. Thus, re-evaluating an individual’s discovery can shape a more satisfying and fulfilling understanding of oneself and the surrounding