Changing perspective free essay sample

All changes of perspective are initiated by external factors A change of perspective is the transformation of one’s view, opinion or outlook. This transformation is initiated by various external factors that play a catalytic role in this change as they provide greater understanding and knowledge. However, it up to the individual’s or group’s preference whether they choose to acquire this opportunity for growth and awakening. It they do not, then no change of perspective will occur. In Robert Frost’s poem â€Å"Mending Wall†, there are many external factors acting upon the individual attempting to deliver more understanding and knowledge, however, this act is rejected and the individual does not experience a change of perspective. In contrast, William Wordsworth’s poem â€Å"Daffodils†, illustrates that no matter how insignificant an external factor, in the form of an event, may seem, reflecting upon that event will provide an individual with enlightenment and awakening. We will write a custom essay sample on Changing perspective or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page If individuals or groups willingly allow external factors to contribute to their view, then they will gain greater understanding and knowledge, this will consequently change their perception about the world, themselves and others. If an individual is unwilling to embrace the opportunity to change their perspective, which is initiated by external factors, then they will not gain any knowledge or understanding about the world and people around them. In ‘Mending Wall’, Frost’s persona is unwilling to accept the perception of his neighbour about the wall which makes it difficult for him to develop intellectually or gain any understanding. The persona believes that the neighbour is trapped by tradition by the simile ‘like an old stone savage’. This indicates that the persona is unable to realize the neighbor’s aphorism that ‘good fences make good neighbors’. The neighbour is the external factor who attempts to help the persona realize that the mending the wall is not a barrier but the tradition that strengthens their friendship, however, the persona thinks otherwise and therefore does not gain any understanding. Another external factor that has an impact upon Frost’s persona is nature. Nature is the cause of the breaking in the wall and therefore the mending of the wall occurs. The first line of the poem is an anastrophe ‘something there is that doesn’t love a wall’ which displays to the audience that nature does not like permanent barriers between humans. This is also a personification and it gives the wall power and human like qualities to destroy and bring objects together. Nature endeavors to create an awakening and understanding for the neighbour that it will reinforce the friendship between him and his neighbour. However by rejecting his neighbor’s outlook and misunderstanding of nature, the persona is limiting his opportunity for growth and knowledge and is trapped by his own perspective on life, an irony he does not recognize. Therefore, it is clear that individuals who do not embrace the opportunity to change their perspective will not receive greater knowledge or understanding about their surroundings. If an individual chooses to reject the opportunity to change their perspective, that is initiated by external factors, then they will not experience any growth or awakening about the world around them. â€Å"We Are Going† displays the change of culture for aboriginal people as a result of colonization and the arrival of ‘White people’ into Australia. The white people do not embrace the opportunity to befriend the aboriginal people and share their views but instead invade their tribal land. They ‘hurry about like ants’. This simile indicates that the white people lead a rushed lifestyle that prevents them from reflecting upon what is important in life, thus, it is impossible for them to develop intellectually or emotionally. Furthermore, the Europeans not only invade the tribes but the visual image ‘notice of the estate agents read: rubbish may be tipped here’ demonstrates that they also do not have respect for the land and they are not accepting the opportunities that the land could offer them. As a result, they are limiting their prospects of gaining much more than a rubbish tip from the land. The persona repeatedly says ‘we are†¦. ’ This is a metaphor and cumulation that describes the relationship between aboriginal people and their land. However, the white people choose to have contrasting views and do not provide the land its desired respect. The persona uses the simile ‘We are as strangers here now’ to describe the impact that the Europeans’ preference to reject the opportunity to change their perspective had on their lives. As a result of losing their home, they are feeling devastated, demoralized and dejected because the land is of great importance to them. Due to the ignorance of the Europeans and their choice to not allow the external factors to influence them, they did not experience any development or awakening and therefore, they did not change their perspective about the world. While some individuals may ignore the significance of an experience, they are not condemned to leave the opportunity for growth and enlightenment forever and if they allow external factors to deliver them greater knowledge, then a change of perspective may occur. Wordsworth’s persona looks back in hindsight and comes to an epiphany in which he realizes the importance of nature. He states ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud. ’ This simile indicates that the persona is isolated and disconnected from nature as clouds float high in the sky therefore it is difficult for him to receive any knowledge or understanding . The simile additionally reflects upon the persona’s loneliness and his initial perspective about nature and the world around him. However, when the persona spots the daffodils his preliminary perspective deviates ‘when all at once I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils’. This personification explains to the audience that the persona finds these flowers intriguing and this foreshadows the possibility that he may reconnect with his surroundings. The daffodils are personified by the persona ‘tossing their heads in a sprightly dance’. He describes this in such a way that illustrates he is gaining enlightenment from their movement. The persona states ‘and then my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils’ shows his changing perspective as nature fills him with joy rather than a feeling of loneliness. The persona comes to the awakening or understanding that he has been disconnected from the natural world and the importance of nature. In addition, he also attempts to transform the audiences’ outlook and help them understand that they are living a life without passion. Therefore, it is clear that if an individual is willing to gain knowledge and understanding from various factors, they will experience a change of perspective.