Character Analysis - Coral from 'Away'

The character that is seen to undergo the most profound change within the text ‘Away’ , by Michael Gow, is Coral. Gow has articulated that through acceptance and a positive outlook, change has a more advantageous effect on the individual witnessing it. Also, that change can occur through a gradual progression. He has successfully communicated this by using the change Coral experiences as a metaphor to illustrate his assumption.

We are introduced to Coral to be in an emotionally fragile condition, grieving the death of her son. She is seen to have alienated herself from society, and has a strained relationship with her husband Roy, unable to conform to his expectations. Coral’s psychological state is clearly depicted in the soliloquy Gow has utilised in Act One – Scene Three. Through her speech we understand that she is in an unstable state, as suggested at the beginning of the soliloquy, where she states, “When that woman woke up and saw that donkey at her feet I thought my heart would break.” This line generally depicts her detachment and alienation from society, through the inconceivable language used.

Through the progression of the holiday, Gow has communicated the sequencing of Coral’s catharsis. In reference to the holiday, Coral states, “We need a break. We need a change” (Act Two – Scene Four). Gow has applied short and direct sentences to correspond Coral’s obstinacy and determination towards change. The repetition of ‘we need a…’ reflects how Coral has prioritised change, and her views of change being a necessity. These techniques effectively suggest Coral’s acceptance towards change. Coral conjuncts the connotation of the holiday with positive implications, evident through her statement; ‘We’ll have a wonderful, wonderful time’ (Act Two – Scene Four). Repetition is prevalent once again in this excerpt, and has been used by Gow to portray her positive attitude in regards to the opportunity to change.

The change in Coral is apparent in Act Four –...