Quotes From 'Pressure In Gwen Harwood's'
Quote #1: Greta and pressure
It is clear to see that Greta lays in the leaves waiting for June to find her, this is Greta’s way of escaping reality, Greta escapes because she feels like she is moving too fast, she purposely waits for June almost like a child waiting for their parent.
“I could see a light reflecting off a pair of glasses. The glasses were on a face. Greta’s muddy face. Just her on the forest floor, her shiny black hair pulled back tight and those round silver-framed glasses […] I reached out for her, and right away I could feel her body, buried under a thick pile of cold damp leaves” (95).Greta immerses herself in the woods just like June, because she feels as if she is being pressured to keep up with life. Greta is constantly ahead of herself as a result of being one year younger than her peers it is almost as if she has missed a whole year of what is left of her child hood. This causes a tremendous amount of stress on Greta as well as exposing her to things she shouldn’t be exposed to at such an early age. Greta feels pressure because she wants to please everyone, exclusively June this due to the vast amount of time she spend with Finn, Greta attracts June by escaping into the …show more content…
woods just as June does, this escapism results in a closer bond between both Greta and June.
(transition)
Quote #2: June in the city
June discovers that Finn is her one way ticket into being a city goer, June escapes to a life very diverse and different from her own. “When I was in the city, I always had the feeling that everyone could see right through me. Like all the real city people could see immediately that I was from the suburbs […] but not when I was with Finn. Finn was like a ticket into being a real city person”(204). June demonstrates her need to escape by frequently spending time with Finn. Going into the city gives her a greater understanding that there is world outside of suburbia where she can become any one she wants to be, June can travel to different countries but still stay in New York, she seems fascinated by that.
Real world issue that relates to escapism: teen suicide
Teen suicide easily relates to the theme of Escapism because teens are trying to escape the pain that they may feel whether it is emotional or physical.
Escapism is defined as the avoidance of reality in this case suicide is avoiding the problem without trying to come to a solution. Teens in this type of situation feel as if the only way to escape is to commit suicide. This is a growing problem in today`s society, a survey of 15,000, from grade 7-12, taken in British Colombia revealed 34% knew of someone who died of suicide, 16% considered of committing suicide, 14% that made a suicide plan, 7% attempted suicide and 2% had required medical attention because of the attempt. Although it is a harsh issue, it is a real problem and it cannot be hidden away from the public
eye
Symbol: requiem
Finn introduces the Requiem to June, not only does it symbolize their relationship but it symbolizes both of their escapes to the Middle Ages. This escape helps them forget the fact that Finn is suffering from aids. The Requiem mass is the musical setting for the mass of the dead, this song is very ironic because June and Finn are trying to forget about Finns aids but Finn is slowly dying off because of aids.
It is clear to see that Greta lays in the leaves waiting for June to find her, this is Greta’s way of escaping reality, Greta escapes because she feels like she is moving too fast, she purposely waits for June almost like a child waiting for their parent.
“I could see a light reflecting off a pair of glasses. The glasses were on a face. Greta’s muddy face. Just her on the forest floor, her shiny black hair pulled back tight and those round silver-framed glasses […] I reached out for her, and right away I could feel her body, buried under a thick pile of cold damp leaves” (95).Greta immerses herself in the woods just like June, because she feels as if she is being pressured to keep up with life. Greta is constantly ahead of herself as a result of being one year younger than her peers it is almost as if she has missed a whole year of what is left of her child hood. This causes a tremendous amount of stress on Greta as well as exposing her to things she shouldn’t be exposed to at such an early age. Greta feels pressure because she wants to please everyone, exclusively June this due to the vast amount of time she spend with Finn, Greta attracts June by escaping into the …show more content…
woods just as June does, this escapism results in a closer bond between both Greta and June.
(transition)
Quote #2: June in the city
June discovers that Finn is her one way ticket into being a city goer, June escapes to a life very diverse and different from her own. “When I was in the city, I always had the feeling that everyone could see right through me. Like all the real city people could see immediately that I was from the suburbs […] but not when I was with Finn. Finn was like a ticket into being a real city person”(204). June demonstrates her need to escape by frequently spending time with Finn. Going into the city gives her a greater understanding that there is world outside of suburbia where she can become any one she wants to be, June can travel to different countries but still stay in New York, she seems fascinated by that.
Real world issue that relates to escapism: teen suicide
Teen suicide easily relates to the theme of Escapism because teens are trying to escape the pain that they may feel whether it is emotional or physical.
Escapism is defined as the avoidance of reality in this case suicide is avoiding the problem without trying to come to a solution. Teens in this type of situation feel as if the only way to escape is to commit suicide. This is a growing problem in today`s society, a survey of 15,000, from grade 7-12, taken in British Colombia revealed 34% knew of someone who died of suicide, 16% considered of committing suicide, 14% that made a suicide plan, 7% attempted suicide and 2% had required medical attention because of the attempt. Although it is a harsh issue, it is a real problem and it cannot be hidden away from the public
eye
Symbol: requiem
Finn introduces the Requiem to June, not only does it symbolize their relationship but it symbolizes both of their escapes to the Middle Ages. This escape helps them forget the fact that Finn is suffering from aids. The Requiem mass is the musical setting for the mass of the dead, this song is very ironic because June and Finn are trying to forget about Finns aids but Finn is slowly dying off because of aids.