One of the main aims of Contemporary English is to increase your understanding of human behaviour.
Choose one of the Contemporary Issues you have studied. Write an essay outlining what you have learnt about human behaviour from your study of this issue. Refer to at least ONE of the set texts and related materials. (1997 HSC Contemporary Paper 2, Section I)
Growing up is a gradual process that covers the period during which we change from children to adults. This change is made possible by our experiences in life and also the people who have an influence upon our lives. Growing up also leads to the change in our behaviour as we, teenagers, grow from a wild or willful kid to a mature young adult. As I am thinking deeply about the issue growing up, a wide range of different aspects come into my mind, especially when I think about the themes that are raised in the novel 'Looking for Alibrandi'. The themes that are raised are developing relationship, dealing with peer group pressure, growing to be mature, losing the innocence of childhood and finally searching for an identity. In other to gain a better and stronger understanding of these themes, I have also chosen to read a newspaper article from the Sydney Morning Herald called 'Role Models wanted, but yesterday's heroes need not apply', the story 'The Lucky Spinner' from the collection of short stories. Stories From Suburban Road, and a poem written by Eleanor Fragen called' 'It was long ago'. By reading and analyzing all the material I have chosen really helped me to understand the changes in human behaviour as we, teenagers, grow up.
Developing relationship is a process that shows a lot of changes in our behaviour as we grow up. Through studying how Josephine develops her intimate relationship with her father Michael Andretti and her boy friend Jacob Coote, I personally have also learned a lesson and changed sometimes, first impressions do not necessarily last. Josephine is first hostile towards Michael and she formerly sees herself as just her mother's daughter, but then she appreciates having Michael as her father when he helps to defend her for hitting Carley Bishop. Josephine realizes 'how it felt walking alongside one's father. It was a great feeling.' I can see this change in Josephine's behaviour and I admire the way she does this. She has gradually humbled herself and would not let pride stand in her way from finding out the truth. There is a new rapprochement, almost accidental, between Michael and Josephine and this reconciliation between them strengthens their relationship even more.
It is interesting to see that sometimes the way Josephine behaves is similar to the way I do. I have personally experienced a lesson that Josephine does in the novel. When things do not turn out the way our hearts desire, they usually turn out to be a little better. At first, Josephine wants maintain her close friendship with the socially suitable and good looking John Barton but in the end she finds that she is happier falling in love with Jacob. She says to herself 'I was so in touch with him'. Again, the idea of first impressions do not necessarily last is shown clearly at this point. We can see that there is a very distinct change in Josephine's behaviour and by learning from her point of view, I can also improve myself in many ways. Josephine has finally realised that '...things do not turn out the way you want them to ... they can turn out to be a little bit better', which is a very positive attitude towards life.
It is true that little surprises and discoveries can be exciting and joyful in life, and would certainly change our attitude and behaviour in many way. The story 'The Lucky Spinner' demonstrates this very clearly. The main character, Tommy is first angry and very disappointed that his father and elder brother left him all alone in the bush deliberately. Then comes the turning point to Tommy's behaviour when he meets the lucky spinners who offer to take him out of the bush and give him a great sum of money. It is true to say that 'the world is neither as good or bad as we thought', and that little changes do have the power to 'transform' ourselves from one way of thought or behaviour to another.
Peer group pressure is also another major problem for young people when they grow up. Looking back to the novel, Josephine has let Sister Louise down when Josephine is persuaded by her friends not to join the walkathon. Sister Louise says to Josephine, 'you'll never amount to anything if you can be so easily influenced'. In this case, I have also learned a lesson that Josephine has experienced. We should not do things for acceptance or to please one's friend but to do the things we know in our hearts that are right. Something similar is found when I was reading the newspaper article 'Role models wanted'. The article suggests the idea of the need of children finding their role model whose examples they will follow. Referring this point back to the novel, Josephine blames herself later on when she realizes that she has failed to take up the responsibility of taking care of the year sevens during the walkathon, and that she has not been a role model and a leader for she is the vice captain of her school. Through this 'walkathon incident',. Josephine has learned how to be a responsible person and her growth to maturity is shown later on in the story.
Josephine's growth to maturity is shown when she refuses to make love with Jacob in his house. I feel that it is a good change in Josephine's behaviour that she is now making her own decisions rather than letting other people make them for her, and that she is now standing up for what she knows is right.
Unfortunately, the growth to maturity often lead to the loss of childhood innocence, which is suggested in Eleanor Fargen's poem 'It was long ago'. I am reminded that growing up can be emotional in a sense of sadness and it is not always so pleasant. '...It won't mean much to you. It does to me. Then I grew up, you see.' Just as Josephine's experience of growing up can be exciting such as the first time of meeting her father and the reconciliation between them, but there are also a lot of hard lessons that have to be learned such as the walkathon incident where she learns how to be responsible. On the other hand, I am also informed that growing up is sign of liberty and hope for the future.
Growing up involves changes, especially changes with regard to different kinds of behaviour. I have learnt that I myself could just be as aggressive, excited, joyful, sorry and emotional as Josephine or Tommy or Eleanor are. I am willing to explore myself a bit more and be ready to handle my future, which is untouched and excited, waiting to be experienced.
(From '1997 Sample HSC Answers, Contemporary English') ---------*note that this essays is under Typical Excellent Range
