Tom Brennan and Mao's Last Dancer
“The Story of Tom Brennan” is a novel reflecting our own sense of crushing a negative life experience and overcoming that with new and positive adventures into a new world. The novel written by J.C. Burke demonstrates journey of acceptance and hardship that the Brennan’s had to face throughout their stay at Coghill and their past from Mumbilli, especially for Tom.
Each individual creates their own choices to stumble upon their experience which may either trigger awful consequences or opportunities on their new path in life and into the world. J.C. Burke’s “The Story of Tom Brennan”, employs the story of the protagonist, Tom Brennan, and his family as they embark upon new journeys and decisions to restart their new lives in Coghill. Their horrific past explains the reason of their move from Mumbilli to their grandmother’s house. The reputation of the Brennan’s was once great and happiness filled their lives, however all is lost when Daniel, Luke and Nicole had a car accident. Football was once Tom’s only favourite sport. Unfortunately, in his new world, it meant nothing. It is just a game to fill in the time. He has lost his edge for he feels uncomfortable “For me, playing footy would never be the same. Here in Coghill, it would just be something to fill in the time – the endless, endless time”.
The environment of the world also played an important role on Tom’s perceptions and attitudes. In the first few chapters demonstrates Tom’s attitude towards his new environment in particular, his negativity towards his grandmother’s house and his family, as he knows things will never be the same. This is evident when Tom says metaphorically, “I was sucked deeper into that long black tunnel. Knowing more than anything I’d ever know that things would never be the same.” Additionally, the past foretold by Tom’s flashbacks illustrates how he missed the “good ol’ days”.
Through Li’s relocation into America, he experiences an altered and different culture which creates a
Each individual creates their own choices to stumble upon their experience which may either trigger awful consequences or opportunities on their new path in life and into the world. J.C. Burke’s “The Story of Tom Brennan”, employs the story of the protagonist, Tom Brennan, and his family as they embark upon new journeys and decisions to restart their new lives in Coghill. Their horrific past explains the reason of their move from Mumbilli to their grandmother’s house. The reputation of the Brennan’s was once great and happiness filled their lives, however all is lost when Daniel, Luke and Nicole had a car accident. Football was once Tom’s only favourite sport. Unfortunately, in his new world, it meant nothing. It is just a game to fill in the time. He has lost his edge for he feels uncomfortable “For me, playing footy would never be the same. Here in Coghill, it would just be something to fill in the time – the endless, endless time”.
The environment of the world also played an important role on Tom’s perceptions and attitudes. In the first few chapters demonstrates Tom’s attitude towards his new environment in particular, his negativity towards his grandmother’s house and his family, as he knows things will never be the same. This is evident when Tom says metaphorically, “I was sucked deeper into that long black tunnel. Knowing more than anything I’d ever know that things would never be the same.” Additionally, the past foretold by Tom’s flashbacks illustrates how he missed the “good ol’ days”.
Through Li’s relocation into America, he experiences an altered and different culture which creates a