Inner journeys and "My Place" by Sally Morgan

Essay by lolmm88High School, 12th grade March 2006

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The longest journey of a person is the journey inward, Dag Hammerskjvld. An inner journey is a powerful voyage of the mind, soul and spirit that impacts on all aspects of a persons life. Inner journeys provide personal, spiritual and intellectual growth and development. Experiences that allow personal development and growth will change the way that some aspects of life is viewed. Daisy and Gladys embark upon inner explorations about acceptance of their aboriginality, their spiritual identity as aborigines and their self esteem/ self worth.

Gladys faced many challenges and obstacles in her life. At Parkerville children's home Gladys resented the colour of her skin. "I wanted to be white; I even hoped a white family would adopt me..." Gladys' fear of authority and her aboriginality stemmed from her mother Daisy. Upon confessing her nationality, an old lady exclaimed "Oh you poor thing...What on earth are you going to do? ...

Mum told me I must never tell anyone what I was, that was when I started wishing I was someone different... mum made me really frightened, I was really scared of authority." This use of verbatim gives a subjective viewpoint of a character. It gives its own individuality, speed and rhythm to Gladys' story. Throughout the book Gladys moves from denial to a passive acceptance of her aboriginality to pride. "I feel embarrassed now to think that once I wanted to be white...I've changed since those days" The natural vernacular used by Gladys gives her story individuality and through the use of everyday language positions the wider audience to respond to the story. Her changing viewpoint about her preferred skin colour signifies personal growth and development as she is now accepting herself holistically rather then in fragments.

Daisy's life has been scarred with physical and sexual exploitations and...