The spare room essay

Coming of age is the time where people change a lot and think a lot for their lives. During this period, people learn more about themselves, explore more responsibility and independence and accept their identity. It is true that we learn more when we come of age. On that basis the movie ‘Looking for Alibrandi’, by Kate Woods, the novel ‘The Spare Room’, by Kathryn Lomer, and the poem ‘The Door’, by Miroslav Holub are all about coming of age events and experiences. The composers use a variety of techniques to communicate these ideas, which will provide that basis for the following discussion.
‘Looking for Alibrandi’ is a film that explores the theme of identity in the context of ‘coming of age’ The main character Josie is an Australian girl, but she is of an Italian origin. She sometimes feels shameful about her family background; she does not like the Tomato Day. She just want to get rid of her grandmother. In the opening scene ‘Tomato Day’, the director has used a lot of techniques to show that Josie rejects her own culture. Her voiceover is used to show the audience that she feels embarrassed and unimpressed by the Italian tradition the Tomato Day. At the same time, she changes the Italian music and leaves early which indicates she really hates it. This makes a question in the audience’s mind - “where does she belong.”
Josie was the product of her mother’s teenage pregnancy and that is the disgrace her grandmother never lets her forget. In the scene where Josie and Nonna are talking in the house, their conversations have shown that Josie still struggles with her identity. Josie, uses a high tone to talk to Nonna “You wish I don’t belong to you.” This shows that Josie feels a bit angry with her grandmother Nonna. The film imagery closes up Josie and Nonna’s eyes, showing both of them are angry with each other.
However, as the year progresses she becomes more accepting of her Italian background. She realises that no matter what she does, she still has the same