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Module C: Texts and Society - Elective 2: Into the World

Novel: The Story of Tom Brennan
(Burke, J C, the Story of Tom Brennan, Random House, 2005, ISBN-13:
9781741660920)
Rubric: In this elective students explore a variety of texts that deal with aspects of growing
up or transition into new phases of life and a broader world. People encounter different
experiences and respond to them individually. These personal experiences may result in
growth, change, or other consequences. Students respond to and compose a range of texts
that illustrate different pathways into new experiences. They examine the features of texts
that shape our knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about individuals venturing into new
experiences.
You could be asked to respond to a question in the HSC exam in ANY form. E.g. essay,
report, speech... etc.
Tom is the teenage protagonist in a phase of transition, he copes with:
- Living with trauma
- A transforming sibling relationship
- Social acceptability in a new place
- Relationship with the opposite sex
- Family coping mechanisms
- Defining self worth through male-female relationships
- Emotional growth
- Changed place in social order
- Social judgment
- Mateship
- Being mentored through the transition
Synopsis:
The Story of Tom Brennan by J.C. Burke starts with a fatal car accident a young driver
whos had too much to drink goes too fast and in an instant two of his friends are dead and
his cousin is left with permanent spinal injuries. But the book isnt about the car crash; it isnt
even about the driver. This is a book about seventeen-year-old Tom Brennan, and how his
life changes when his older brother, Daniel, kills two people and paralyses another.
The family must move from Mumbilli because they are no longer welcome in the town
Daniels actions have affected all their lives. Because they fear the reaction of the township,
they leave quietly at 4.30 am. J.C. Burke uses their escape as a prologue, which lures the
reader immediately into the story as a sense of mystery develops.
In the year that follows, while the family tries to settle into their new lives in Coghill, Tom
develops immensely from a teenager who feels constant torment, especially at the thought
of his cousin Fins injury, to one who is able to accept the situation and move on. This
Herculean feat involves a myriad of other aspects and characters.
Finding out that he can play rugby without his unbeatable partnership with Daniel, running
with his Uncle Brendan, the possibility of a climbing trip to the Himalayas, seeing Daniel drag
himself back from the brink of suicide, and finding love amidst the chaos all these things
help Tom to find a ticket out of the past.
Characters:
- Tom Brennan Year 11 student and rugby half-back
- Daniel Brennan Toms popular older brother and star rugby five-eighth
- Kylie Brennan younger sister of Tom and Daniel, doing Year 9
- Joseph Brennan Father of Tom, Daniel and Kylie; rugby coach

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Theresa Brennan mother of Tom, Daniel and Kylie

Fin cousin to Tom, Daniel and Kylie; injured in car accident
Mrs. Healy/Gran grandmother (Theresas mother)
Uncle Brendan Theresas (emerging) gay brother; Grans son; Toms mentor.
Chrissy Toms love interest
Claire Daniels girlfriend

Features and Techniques:

The concept of 1st person narrator who is a young male who can express his internal
battles, dialogues and thoughts with sophistication and complexity; yet is quiet, stoic and
simple around his male friends.
The effect of revealing more about the night of the accident in flashback.
The contrast between Tom and Daniel and their representation.
Judging Daniel as the story continues, firstly through the eyes of Tom and then through
his own words.
Impact of letters.
Not hearing the story from the victims perspective.
The effect of placing Tom and his family from being well known in a small town to having
a small presence in a larger town.
The role of the grandmother and her social beliefs in the judgment of the family.
Themes:
Fear
Fear is a dominant theme in this book as it affects so many of the characters.
Tom is initially frightened when he arrives at the scene of the accident. He knows that
two of his friends are strangely quiet and therefore likely dead, but of even greater
importance at the time, Fin has no feeling in his limbs. Fin naturally panics knowing he
could not move and is incredibly fearful throughout the night.
After the accident and the familys move to a different town, Tom is afraid of the reaction
of those in Coghill because of the anger generated towards the family by many in
Mumbilli. His concern and fear over past hostilities makes him fearful of starting his new
school.
Tom is also frightened that his mother will not get out of bed again.
Joe Brennan is in fear of those who live in Mumbilli because of the hostility that has been
generated towards his family, which is why he organises their retreat from the town in the
early hours of the morning.
Both he and Tess are also fearful when they consider Daniels jail term
Drink Driving and its effects on families and communities
The result of Daniel driving while under the influence of alcohol, and the tragedy that
ensued because of his reckless behaviour, is of course the platform from which the story
evolves.
Daniel has been not only responsible for two young people dying, but for the spinal injury
his popular and talented cousin Fin received.
This has led to his own family being uprooted from their comfortable existence in
Mumbilli (p. 1), because of the intense hostility the accident created.
It has also led to incredible anguish and tension within his own family (p. 28).
The sentence hanging over the family may even be considered a greater burden than
Daniels jail sentence, even though he has become suicidal while there, as they have to
live each day knowing the problem he has caused, a crisis that can never be fixed.
Nicole and Luke cannot be revived and Fin will never have a normal life again. One
cannot imagine how his mother Kath would feel knowing her only son, a former athlete
with great skill, would be confined to a wheelchair or a bed for the rest of his life. Indeed,

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the full horror of Daniels reckless driving can probably be summed up in the letter sent
to the Brennan family by Lukes parents. Their cold hatred of Daniel is probably fair
under the circumstances; as even his jail sentence in their eyes is of course much too
short (p. 123).
Family relationships and how different people deal with crisis
The family adapts and adjusts at different rates.
The manner in which the various members of the Brennan family relate to each other, as
well as to the horrible situation they are faced with because of Daniels reckless and
irresponsible behaviour, are an important part of this text. They remain a united family,
even though they are faced with an extremely complex situation.
Joe Brennan, the father, is pulled in many directions but seems to be able to keep a calm
countenance at all times. He visits Daniel and Fin on a regular basis, which must be very
difficult for him (p. 196). He also tries to keep Tom interested in rugby (p. 205), and is
very supportive of his wife Tess, who has become almost catatonic from her grief. Not
only that, he is also unfailingly polite to his mother-in-law, who irritates Tom, Kylie and
Kath.
Gran continues to act as though each member should simply adjust to the situation and
move on (p. 64). Gran, although abrasive, because of her desire to keep a sense of
normality in her house and even insisting on a religious input (p. 14), gives the Brennan
family an area that is in its own way a haven. Her perseverance finally pays off because
even Tom ultimately recognises the love in her (p. 279).
Brendan is also very supportive to everyone in the family. He too visits both Daniel and
Fin regularly. Indeed it is Brendan who helps Tom recuperate emotionally, as he not only
helps him becoming interested in training again (p. 112), but treats him like a close
friend.
Because of Brendan, Tom does indeed become fit and has a future that includes playing
a high standard of rugby, romance ( p. 238) and a holiday in Nepal.
Brendan is extremely stoic and in order to help keep the family together he hides his own
feelings of despair ( p. 237).
Even though Tom feels despairing after Daniels foolish and irresponsible act, he still tries
to remain close to all members of his family (p. 273), although he chooses not to talk
about the accident if he can help it, and he doesnt want others to know about what
happened. This is made difficult by Kylies chaotic behaviour in giving her speech and his
mothers disinterest in anything but Daniel.
Although Kylie appears to be inconsiderate of others and not relating to the problems the
family faces, she finally shows her true feelings of family love when she explains to Tom
how upset she was when she realised how much she had hurt him by her speech.
Moreover, she responds to Fins request to help him get settled in his new home in a
most selfless way ( p. 263).
For Kath, the most difficult task would have been to remain close to the family after Fins
injury.
The fact that they all remained close, even despite their different ways of dealing with the
crisis, demonstrates the unique way in which this family relate to each other.
Friendship
Friendship is a recurring theme in this novel.
Immediately following the accident, Tom and Matt sustain their friendship despite many
in Mumbilli being overtly hostile to the Brennan family (p. 258). Although Tom finds it
difficult to talk to Matt after their move, Matt remains supportive and understands why
Tom behaves the way he does.
The St Bennies football team rally around Tom, knowing how hard it will be for him to
face his old team St Johns.

Toms new friends at school support him without needing to spell out their actions for
instance, keeping him company and protecting him from gossip after his sister makes a
speech about everything that has happened.
Tom, however, takes a while to see them as friends, since to begin with he measures
everyone he meets against his previous friends and easy life in Mumbilli, and finds those
in Coghill lacking.
Brendan not only demonstrates a strong bond of friendship towards his whole family, but
in particular to Tom by getting him fit again. Brendan knows that once Tom can take his
mind off the tragedy, he might begin to emotionally heal.
Tom and Gran also find friendship in their relationship, after they are frequently left alone
in each others company (p. 185).
Tom and Kylie, who had always enjoyed a sibling friendship, once again regain this
status after she explains to Tom how desperate she felt when she gave her speech to
the school forum.
Tom also extends a hand of friendship once again to Daniel when he gives him the
scrapbook he has made (p. 178).
Chrissie demonstrates friendship towards Tom, when she shows concern after Kylies
speech and after he is heckled at the rugby match (p. 183). Their relationship would
become more intense than friendship ultimately, but without her friendship, it would not
have progressed.
The relatively new relationship between Kylie and Brianna is also an important element
in this tragedy, as it gives Kylie a haven to retreat to when life becomes intolerable for
her at Grans house.

Irony
Fin, who was becoming physically attractive to the opposite sex and thus caused Daniel
to become jealous, is now wasting away with spinal injuries.
Daniels parents did nothing to control his behaviour fearing his volatile reaction, but
must now suffer his depression and the results of his impetuous behaviour.
Daniel writes a letter of remorse to the families of the victims of the accident, but the
letter he receives in return causes Daniel and his family even more pain.
The family expects that Daniels involvement in team sport might make the judge lenient
towards him, but instead the judge says that Being a team player, you should have
known better (p. 128).
Gran, who believed that she would never have her beloved chooks again after her
husbands death, has had this part of her life restored because of the tragedy.
Gran also has a close bond with Tom and Kylie, which previously was nonexistent.
Tom, who reluctantly moved Coghill because of the accident, has met Chrissie, with
whom he has begun a serious relationship.
Daniel and Fins birthdays are ten days apart, and although before the accident Daniel
always had more attention on his birthday, after the accident it is Fin who the family
wants to pay attention to.
It is also ironic that a family such as the Brennans, who were previously held in high
esteem by many in Mumbilli, should suffer hostility because of the actions of one.
Conflict
Conflict is a theme that naturally permeates this text because of the tragic circumstances
of the story.
The most obvious is the conflict between many in Mumbilli, who hold a grudge against
the Brennan family and in particular Daniel. They would like to see Daniel locked up
forever and cannot let their hostility lessen even a year later, as demonstrated at the
rugby match when someone in the crowd referred to Daniel as a killer.

Then, on a more personal level, there is the conflict between Tom and Kylie as they are
drawn apart after they arrive in Coghill. Each feels a guilt they cannot at first share.
Tess and Kath, who are dominated by the problems facing their own sons, also conflict
with each other, since Kath faces the greater burden in looking after Fin for the rest of
her life, yet it is Tess who is unable to cope and breaks down.
There is also inner conflict as Tom feels guilty over his inaction on the night of the
accident, and Kylie feels guilty because of her involvement in the budding romance of
Fin and Claire.
Daniel also faces internal conflict as he recognises the full impact of his behaviour. He
has altered the lives of so many: the families who have lost children, his own family and
his cousin, who is now paralysed.
Fin, too, faces internal conflict as he is torn between the thoughtful person he once was
and the bitter, harsh person he is becoming.
On the sporting field there is conflict between the two ideas of winning is everything and
the team is the most important.
There is also the conflict between St Bennies and St Johns, which is personally
significant for Tom.

Genre, Style and Structure:

First Person
From Toms perspective.
Has an immediacy and rawness that makes the story all the more powerful.
Burke captures the emotions of Tom by her use of the vernacular, which lends reality to
his situation. The voice of Tom is strong and clear so that the reader can hear his pain
and confusion and identify with his struggle to find a way back.
To explore how many lives are changed through the actions of another. Did not want to
tell the story through the victims family POV nor Daniels side.
E.g. I knew I had to stay with Fin, stay with the mess that Daniel had made. This first
person narrative shows that sometimes an individual is not in control of their ability to
move into new phases in life. In this case, Tom reflects on the consequences of Daniels
actions.
Dialogue
Colloquial language
Teenage vernacular
Realistic conversations between characters.
Flashbacks
Showing readers only a glimpse at a time of past event with Toms present emotional
state increases drama and tension.
Weaving the past into the story in the form of flashbacks meant the readers experience
of meeting Daniel was not so straightforward. It is not until page 138 when the reader
finally meets Daniel in real time, and when they do this it is not that simple to feel
disdain for him. For Daniel is a broken man.
Does not accelerate the plot, leaving time for each character to develop and change.
E.g. Daniel, who is totally remorseful by the carnage that he has caused and initially is
even suicidal, becomes determined to be a better person and becomes a mentor in
prison.
Bildungsroman Genre built around the conflict between the desires and dreams of
adolescents and the obstacles they experience in trying to pursue them. Usually these

are the result of the complexities and faults of the adults around them, and in turn of the
larger society of which they are a part.
JC Burke admitted that she broke the story into flashbacks as a tool to get the reader to
turn the page and to... stimulate their curiosity.

Motifs and Symbols:

Black
Darkness or black is used throughout the novel to depict a state of despair.
The family fled Mumbilli close to dawn when only the silhouettes of the houses could be
seen.
Tom, who did not like living at his grandmothers house, surveys his room only to see
that it is brown and dark.
While remembering how they once were and comparing this to his present state, Tom
slips into a long black tunnel.
A black curtain also descended over Tom when Chrissie asked him how his nonexistent
grandfather was feeling, knowing that the boots she gave him were really for Fin.
When discussing Daniel, his moods are also referred to as being dark.
In order to show how vulnerable Kylie is, she is described as having black make-up all
over her eyes.
When Matt discovers the dead bodies of Luke and Nicole, JC Burke describes the
isolation of the setting. The imagery, both aural and visual of the black sky and the
piercing shriek suggest the children are alone and frightened.
Water
Water or an area where one can swim is used on many occasions to generally show a
positive outcome in this story.
Kylie is told to have a shower by Kath in order to cool off when she is upset.
Tom is caught in the shower by Chrissie, just after he realises that he is sexually
interested in her.
It is at the pool that Tom first goes out with his new friends from school, and he feels free
and light when he jumps into the pool.
It is at the pool that he sees Chrissie again.
Finally it is at the river when Tom believes he came back.
Also, Kath and Fin move closer to the beach, perhaps with hope for a brighter future for
Fin.
However, it was also while Daniel and Tom were swimming when they were younger that
Daniel pushed his head under the water, holding it there in anger. Perhaps this was a
sign that Daniel needed discipline to control this aspect in his personality.
Sudden Death
The sudden death match that St Johns has to play in order to have a place at the final for
the Wattle Shield takes on a new significance after the accident. For Tom the phrase is
linked forever with what happened, and the irony is not lost on him.
Driving
Driving is also an important motif. It is Daniels drink driving that causes the tragedy that
follows; the book opens with the Brennan family driving quietly out of town while no-one is
watching; after they leave their weekends are spent driving to visit either Daniel or Fin.
Rugby
Rugby is the lynchpin that holds many of the stories together.

It certainly symbolises the prestige that was accorded to the Brennan brothers in
Mumbilli because of their football prowess.
It also symbolises the friendships that Tom acquires in Coghill because once again he is
an important member of a Rugby team.
Rugby also symbolises fear when Tom knows he has to play against a team from
Mumbilli.

Running
Positive step.
It gives the two time to talk, it improves Toms fitness levels and helps him get back to
rugby again, and it gives him a new goal: to get fit enough to go to Nepal.
This contrasts against the fact that the family might be seen to be running away from
their problems in Mumbilli, or that Tom is running away from his problems by not wanting
to talk to anyone about what has happened.
Hills and mountains
Hills symbolise Toms struggle and his journey.
The hill near his Grans place is steep more like a mountain. Gran calls it Ascension
Hill and reckoned it lead all the way to heaven (p. 112), which is consistent with her
religious world view.
Daniel hates climbing hills and would complain the whole way if made to walk up one,
which makes the family name the hill near their home in Mumbilli Daniels Whine.
This is symbolic of how Daniel gets everything easily despite his bad behaviour no-one
is able to stand up to him.
On the other hand, Tom sees the steep hill as a challenge, and through his running with
Brendan, he becomes better at reaching its peak.
Ultimately he and Brendan are going to visit Nepal and climb world-famous mountains,
showing how far Tom has come in his journey, to see this future for himself.
Names
The family in the book are always conscious of having the name Brennan.
Before the accident, it symbolises their status in the town the Brennans were
respected, and their boys were getting the name even more well known because of their
prowess on the rugby field.
After the accident, however, it becomes a name that they hate, since everyone in
Mumbilli associates the name Brennan with Daniel. Even more than a year later the
words killer and Brennan are heard at the rugby game Tom is playing in.
Their name has been defiled in graffiti saying Shame on you, Brennans (p. 174).
Kylie hates it: I dont want to be Kylie Brennan Kylie anyone, but not Kylie Brennan
(p. 231).
Although Tom initially agreed, and wished his name wasnt so well known, since he is
always afraid someone will recognise it, he is able to say to Kylie, Course you will [get
there]. Youre a Brennan (p. 231). And ultimately he feels comfortable enough with his
name to say that was the morning Tom Brennan came back, forever (p. 283).
Key Issues:
Toms understanding of people evolves throughout the text.
Burke has stated that part of Toms journey is being forced to see situations and people as
they really are, not as he thought they were, and in the course of the novel Tom gains an
understanding that he, Brendan and Kylie are all on journeys that they have to take
independently. He also grows to appreciate the wisdom of his Grans remark that you have
to leave your ghosts behind.

Tom learns to include others in his outlook.

He moves from a self-centred outlook to one where is his able to relate to his sister and to
try to make his Grans life more meaningful by constructing a chook yard. The letter to the
Brennan family from the family of Nicole, killed in the accident, contains a remark that Life is
more than a one-man show. Everything we do in this life affects others. While this was
aimed at Daniels thoughtlessness, Tom is able to apply it to himself.
Tom grows to appreciate his new physical location.
From regarding his life in Mumbilli as special, and his friends and immediate family as
defining his existence, Tom grows to value his new life in Coghill. This is partly due to the
guidance offered by his uncle, Brendan, and by the relationship that develops with Chrissy,
but it also includes a mature approach to gay relationships and recognition of the dangers
inherent in the way his old team played football.
Part of Toms ability to enter the broader world is related to his emergence from the
depressed state that threatens to engulf him.
He uses metaphors of a cave and darkness to explain how he feels, but by the end of the
novel he is much happier as he looks forward to travelling to Nepal with Brendan and
continuing his relationship with Chrissy.
The Message:
The undercurrent message of learning to live for the pleasure of living/giving, instead of
winning, is poignant. But the real power of this book is in the lesson for the Daniels of this
world. A lesson learned through painful showing not didactic telling. J.C. Burke has that rare
talent of writing for teenagers yet satisfying the over eighteens as well.

Supplementary Text 1 THE DOOR by Miroslav Holub (poem)

This text shows the resistance to change and the attitude that change is
inevitable.
The change from a childs view to an adults view shows the change in life
physically and mentally as you grow up, this is inevitable, everyone grows older.
This attitude can also be seen in the change of the environment. Her
surroundings have changed since she was a young child, this is inevitable as
everything changes, it cannot stay the same forever.
Tom Brennan, in The Story of Tom Brennan, inevitably makes this transition from
child to adult through his experiences after Daniels car accident and jail
sentence. His views change from an ignorant child to an adult who realises that
there is a world outside his old and perfect life in Mumbilli and he discovers
himself as a person separate from the status as Daniels little brother.
The dominant reading in this poem focuses on the value of being prepared to
'change' ones life or perspective. In this poem 'change' is seen as a positive
force. By saying Even if there's a fog' the poem reassures the reader that it will
clear. The poet encourages us to seek change and AT LEAST try and 'open the
door'. By opening the door individuals approach the idea of 'change' allowing
them to overcome obstacles. Although this is a cold and somewhat unappealing
image the salient point is that the individual is willing to make an attempt.
In The Story of Tom Brennan, Tom initially finds Coghill and living at his
grandmothers house extremely unappealing and he finds it very difficult to put
his efforts into adjusting. Eventually he realises that he has no choice whether he
wants to be in Coghill or not so he opens the door and lets himself become a
more mature person and to let Coghill become a part of his life.
'Opening the door', looking beyond ones own narrow existence and considering
other worlds and lives can give a new perspective on ones own problems. It also
indicates a passing of time. An unusual mixture of sights is used in the stanzas to
suggest that anything is possible E.g. A dog rummaging... the picture of a
picture. These differing perspectives underline the poems message that if we are
prepared to take action to 'change' our lives the possibilities are exciting and
varied.
Tom Brennan learns to realise that he loves his brother even for the accident he
made and that it is a blessing that his brother still lives while others died and
were seriously injured in the car accident.
In the case of anything is possible Tom never guessed that the his experiences
in the town of Coghill would lead him into a love relationship with Chrissy Tulake
nor would he have guessed that he would be aiming to climb mountains in Nepal.
In stanza four the image of darkness ticking could signify an unknown or
negative factor, yet the process undertaken by the individual to look into the
darkness is a valuable learning experience that will change them.
And just as Tom Brennan falls into many black depressive holes and sometimes
feel that there is no hope that his family and life will get better, he eventually
learns to try and to accept how things have changed in his life, and will forever
be changed, and so he is able to move forward.

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The poet reiterates the fact that negative and unpleasant experiences are
beneficial for personal growth and it has long term advantages as opposed to
being stultified.
The lack of rhythm, rhyme and conventional structure also give the poem a
conversational tone.
The Story of Tom Brennan is also written in colloquial language and teenage
vernacular and therefore both texts are easy for the audience to understand and
relate to.

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Supplementary Text 1 Father and Son by Cat Stevens (song

lyrics)
The father is trying to talk his son out of doing something which he
considers to be foolish, somewhat, and instead, settle down and have a
family, as the father is getting on in age and wants to have grandchildren.
This song really shows the relationship between any fathers with his son.
This part shows that the father is trying to give advice to his son and is
also trying to convince him to stay and not leave home. It can show how
the son is inexperienced and still did not face obstacles in life that will
make him think a lot before taking any action.
The dads suppression of change in his sons pathway in life causes the
son to reply back drastically to his father by saying Now theres a way
and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go. The fathers love and constant forceful advice forces
the opposite of what he wants in his son, and his son feels that he HAS to
leave and discover things for himself. He wants to initiate the change in
his life.
This is the opposite case for Tom Brennan, in the Story of Tom Brennan,
where the town of Mumbilli forces the Brennans to feel the need to
escape away to Coghill. In this way, Tom Brennan did not want to initiate
this change; it was Daniels mistake in the car accident that forced the
change upon his whole family, and on the lives, and family, of three other
victims.
This shows that although change and growth can be the initiated by the
individual, suppressed or forced upon, by the result of their environment
and surroundings, it is inevitable that change will occur and will have
significant and lifelong impact on the individual and the other people in
their life where the individual will venture through different phases of life.

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Module C: Texts and Society

Elective: Into the World
Text: The Story of Tom Brennan
The Story of Tom Brennan, by JC Burke, is a novel which follows the main character, Tom,
and his family, deal with the dramatic event that the oldest son, Daniel, creates in a drink
driving accident.
An important theme that is carried throughout this text is drink driving and how events have
effects on many people surrounding it, and not only on the direct victims, and a strong theme
of conflict runs deep throughout the novel. JC Burke has structured this novel in a way that
does not deal with the customary experiences of the victims family, but instead focuses on
the murderers family, how each individual deals with crisis, and how such events can have
a lasting and strong impact, much deeper than an observer naturally sympathizes with.
Thesis:
Daniels character is one of a stubborn and aggressive teenage boy who overestimates his
capabilities and develops raging jealousy towards his cousin Fin over his sporting abilities
and cover a girl, Claire. This results in the tragic events of the sudden death party where 2
teenagers are killed, and Fin is left a paraplegic at the expense of Daniels stupidity. Irony is
used in calling the match that St. Johns has to play in order to have a place at the final in the
Wattle Shield, the sudden death match, as the resulting after party leaves two individuals
suddenly dead. When the sudden death accident occurred, Tom was never able to be the
same, Above all the silence, was the piercing sound of death. This quote shows Toms unpreparedness in this situation and that it is something he has never experienced before. The
piercing sound [of death] shows that he is so overcome by this situation that he suddenly
becomes unaware of anything else. This is a major scene of the novel as it determines and
changes the future of the Brennans life and for tom, the phrase is linked forever with what
happened, and the irony is not lost to him.
The events that occurred on the night of the sudden death party is revealed in flashbacks,
and this is proven to be an effective technique used by JC Burke, as she admits that she
broke the story into flashbacks as a tool to get the reader to turn the page and to... stimulate
their curiosity. The flashbacks show the reader only a glimpse at a time of past events with
Toms present emotional state, thus increasing drama and emotions. Weaving the past into
the story also mean the readers experience of meeting Daniel is not so straight forward
we do not meet Daniel in real time until half way through the novel. This makes it difficult for

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the readers to feel disdain towards him as we see that he feels guilt and remorse for his
actions.
The Door, by Miroslav Holub, is a directive poem that encourages the reader to open the
door and accept the change that will inevitable occur. There is resistance shown in the
poem where the reader is wary and frightened by what he may find on the other side. At
least there will be a draught reassures the reader that even if it is not something exciting or
huge, it stimulates curiosity by suggesting there will at least be something. The poem is
trying to encourage the reader to simply see, and learn, what there is outside of the known
life experiences. In The Story of Tom Brennan, Tom is the one resisting the change and the
new transitions occurring in his life. He is forced to move into the new town of Coghill but is
unable to properly realise that Daniel is a criminal and Tom is unable to accept his families
situation and changes they have experienced; loss off two friends, disabled cousin, son in
prison, and a new home and town, and he is therefore unable to move forward and take
advantage of what Coghill can offer him. His un-preparedness results in his inability to open
the door.
JC Burke has also stated that part of Toms journey is being forced to see situations and
people as they really are, not as the thought they were. Toms understanding of people
evolves throughout the text. Why dont they realise that we arent like everyone else in
here? Tom thinks this to himself when he visits Daniel in prison. Is shows that he is yet to
come to terms with the extent of Daniels situation and thus cannot understand why he is
being treated as a criminal. Tom eventually accepts that his brother has in fact committed a
serious criminal offence, but also realises that Daniel shows remorse and is trying his best to
help others and to get his life back on track shown by Daniel becoming a peer/leader for
another young boy in custody, who has experienced a similar event to Daniel. After he
realises this, Tom extends the hand of friendship to his brother again through a scrapbook
that was made especially to commemorate their brotherly experiences together. It is only
when Tom sees that his future must be in Coghill, at least for a while, he comes to terms with
his situation and opens the door, thus illustrating a new pathway of life where is able to fully
benefit from life in Coghill.
Father and Son, song lyrics, by singer Cat Stevens, is about the fathers resistance to his
sons willingness to leave his hometown, experience change and grow himself as an
individual. In contrast to The Story of Tom Brennan, the son is prepared for new phases of
life and he attempts to initiate the change. This is shown by the sons lyrics away, away,

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away. I have to make this decision, alone showing the son has grown to be an independent
individual, and by the fathers lyrics, Its not time to make a change showing his resistance,
but also showing the fathers concern and love for his son. However, the fathers forceful
advice seems to make the son more prepared to leave and fend for himself. In The Story of
Tom Brennan, Tom has no choice but to follow his father and his families decision as they
feel the need to support each other. He is also underage and does not feel prepared enough
to live by himself.
The Door talks about many unusual sights such as a dog rummaging, or a picture of a
picture, creating the idea of endless possibilities. Such possibilities are not realised by
protagonist Tom Brennan, where he earlier on would never have considered the possibilities
i.e. that he would end up with gorgeous Chrissy Tulake or aim to be climbing mountains in
Nepal with uncle Brendan.
The lyrics in the song Father and Son say, I try to keep these feelings inside, its hard, but
its harder not to care. These lyrics relate to Tom Brennan as when he arrives in Coghill he
feels as though he cannot express how he feels to his family or friends and he fears that if
people find out about what happened in the sudden death accident they will react the same
way as those in Mumbilli did, which would add onto the detrimental conflict that those in the
Brennan family have already experienced. This was thus a contributing factor into Toms
ability to open the door.
By opening the door, will initiate a change in the individual that will result in the
development of perspectives. Tom Brennans change from an ignorant child to the maturity
of an adult as he learns from his experiences that there was a life beyond the idyllicness of
the town of Mumbilli, that it takes time to heal, and that everyone heals at their own pace.
This is symbolically shown in the celebration on his 18th birthday. The change in Tom
Brennan is inevitably shown in the last chapter when Tom and Chrissy are together, That
was the day Tom Brennan came back forever. But he comes back with more experience
and maturity than he had before.
When comparing all three texts it becomes apparent that change is inevitable whether it is
resisted, suppressed, forced upon or initiated by the individual, preparedness is not an issue
in the transition into new phases of life it will occur whether you are prepared or not; but it
is up to the individual to prepare for the changes they will experience as they move into their
new world.