The Story Of Tom Brennan Essay

The Story Of Tom Brennan Analysis
This period of our lives is a one bursting with challenging events and life–changing transitions, don't
you think? However testing this phase may be though, it's how we accept and counteract these
alterations that ultimately opens up a deeper understanding of our world and self. J.C. Burke's
thought provoking novel, 'The Story of Tom Brennan' and John Marsden and Matt Ottley's
heartbreaking picture book 'Home and away', address this concept of transition and their challenges
associated as each protagonist undergoes a catastrophic journey surrounding a challenged attitude
and the need for maturity development.
This powerful characteristic that transitional phases possess have the potential to be a rewarding
experience, as they provide an individual with the opportunity for growth and knowledge
development through newfound relationships. In 'The Story of Tom Brennan', Tom exhibits this
through his bond with Chrissy following the dark trauma he endures caused by his brother Daniel.
Initially, Tom feels detached from his own identity as he refers to himself in third person "I
missed...simple Tom Brennan", emphasising his deteriorated mental state. However, the
relationship he forms with Chrissy is instrumental in his recovery as he begins to find himself
again. His passionate tone in "Today I kissed Chrissy Tulake, I felt like Tom Brennan" epitomizes
how this bond empowers him to assert a stronger sense of personal identity. Burke, therefore, is able
to reveal how transitional
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Transitions In The Story Of Tom Brennan
Transitions can allow individuals to uncover knowledge through the provoking of principle values,
which causes one to reevaluate their position and relations in life. This can create change that allows
for circumstantial acceptance, which causes monumental growth and significant personal reward for
individuals and those around them. A confronting transition can force an individual to reevaluate
their relations with others, due to an emotionally provocative realisation. Whilst transitions
encapsulate negatively challenging ones principle values, they have the potential to allow for a 'new
start'. Additionally, one's comprehension of values may be reformed during transitions, as an
individual is forced to overcome hardships. These notions are...show more content...
From this, hardships become prevalent, and when overcome, positive growth can occur.
Additionally, transitions may lead to significant personal reward and change for an individual due to
circumstantial acceptance. The Story of Tom Brennan displays these concepts explicitly, as Tom
constantly has his value of relationships negatively hindered. However, once he overcomes his
challenges brought forth by Daniels drink–driving incident, he is able to gain a 'new start' regarding
relationships, as he is able to gain acceptance. Furthermore, Toms statement of "The Davin was
my obstacle", utilises the metaphorical obstacle of 'Davin', who becomes a hardship for Tom to
overcome in order to 'win' Chrissy, and thus overcome his loneliness and reforms his values of
relationships and love. Once Tom overcomes this obstacle, as evident it the truncated sentence of
"Today became the day I kissed Chrissy Tulake", positive growth occurs, as he becomes releases
that he has purpose in life and that his negative past isn't omnipresent in is everyday life. It is due to
this positive transition, that Tom's values of Relationships and love become reformed, as he
becomes enlightened towards the positive effects of love, therefore leading to the paramount
personal reward of gaining a relationship with Chrissy, alongside finally accepting his circumstances.
Ultimately, it is

Story Of Tom Brennan
The concept of transformation and self overcoming are potent topics, the likes of which, are and
have been heavily debated by the best academics known to humanity. It is substantially evident that
challenging events, especially when supported by others, allow an individual to grow in
personality, spirit, and resilience. The latter can be achieved by turning to the right support and
resources in order to vanquish one's negative circumstances, overcome the pressures of society, and
develop a unique and personal set of values. These concepts are explored in "The Story of Tom
Brennan" by J. C. Burke, and Friedrich Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra". The characters, Tom
and Zarathustra, deal with similar ideas in their respective stories. Tom

Tom Brennan
Into the World– The Story of Tom Brennan TECHNIQUES: First Person Narration novel is told
from the perspective of Tom audience is privy to the private thoughts and feelings concerning all
elements of his life the accident, his brother Daniel, Chrissy, himself and his future creates an
empathetic tone draws the reader into his emotional turmoil gain a good understanding of Tom's
feelings and can account for his actions creates dramatic irony we know more about him than other
characters do enhances the tension and effectiveness of the narration empathy is created as we grow
fond of the protagonist who shares a story of hardship see Tom's maturity and growth...show more
content...
131 Tom doesn't know the person his mother has become; low point as he has lost his own identity
pp. 140–141 structural centre of the novel; visits Daniel in gaol for the first time; turning point for
Tom as he can't get any worse pp. 143 Tom begins his rehabilitation; running to get fit and
attempting to climb 'the ascent' First half of the novel is about Tom's descent and the second half is
about Tom's

What Is The Story Of Tom Brennan Chapter 1
Year 10 English
The Story of Tom Brennan
Complete all tasks in well constructed sentences.
During reading the book:
Prologue
What is a prologue? Why do some writers use a prologue?
A separate introductory section of a literary or musical work.
Chapter 1 – 5:
How do Tom and Kylie feel about having to relocate their lives to their grandmother's home and the
new town of Coghill?
Tom and Kylie don't have a positive response to moving in with there grandmother due to the fact
that they were part of a good small town community originally.
List the immediate members of Tom Brennan's family.
His sister Kylie and his uncle Brendan.
What is Australia Day and why do we celebrate Australia Day?
When Captain Arthur Phillip landed at sydney harbour,...show more content...
Chapter 14:
Tom begins to open up to Brendan when there out running and also opens up to Chrissy. He also
has a strong relationship with the rugby team. At the footy camp, Tom can't face up to his old team
mates at Mumbilli, but after his dad talks to him he faces his old team. His dad also makes him
realise that he has more skill at rugby than Daniel had, and how much he should thank Daniel for
helping to develop that skill.
Chapter 15:
Daniel is improving emotionally as well as Brendan has remained helping all the family members
and still wants Tom to go to Nepal so Tom might have something to look forward too. Tom's mother
seems to be trying to get back to normal. Tom realises that he is falling in love with Chrissy.
Chapter 16:
Kylie and Tom talk about how they feel guilty for the accident occurring. Not only have Kylie and
Tom become closer, but Brendan now feels that can discuss his involvement with Jonny to Tom.
However, but when Tom visits Brendan unexpectedly, it is obvious that emotionally he is putting on
a very brave face about Daniel.
Chapter 17:
In chapter 17 Brendan tells Tom that Chrissy really likes. Also Tom has an idea to build a chicken
pen for Gran for her birthday and after that rugby match between Coghill and Mullbilli Tom gets an
e–mail from an old friend from Mumbillii saying that they are still friends. But at that game a lot of
people had not forgot what the

Overcoming Adversity In Tom Brennan
The experience of transition often challenges individuals, more significantly their attitudes and
beliefs as it shapes their very identity. However, overcoming the adversity in these transitions, mental
and physical growth can be attained. The development of this growth is perceived through an
engagement with the world through a transitioned process, and by understanding the world around;
individuals come to terms with their role and position in society. The story of Tom Brennan by J.C
Burke explores the crisis of circumstances, which forces individuals to leave their comfort lives to
confront reality and their response towards it through their transformation. They must directly
confront the inevitable changes to their attitudes and beliefs, overcoming the obstacles to change
for the better or worse. Along the same lines, Luke Graham's song '7 years old', explores the
outcome of forced transition to achieve a better level in his work through the death of his father and
the birth of his child. He has to directly confront his attitude and beliefs, as his father was the most
influential person in his life, to reap a better understanding of himself. By facing the process of
transition head on, in spite of being challenging and imposing the attitudes and beliefs, individuals
can come to better understand themselves and the world around.
Only through physically challenging transitions can an individual's attitude and beliefs become
tested, it is through this confronting

J.C. Burke's coming of age novel The Story of Tom Brennan construes the evolving life of Tom
Brennan after a tragic accident. Narrating in a first–person point of view, Tom guides the reader
through the raw details of his inner conflict and finding his way back to being a better version of
himself. This essay aims to analyse the author's portrayal of mental health, internal conflict and the
effects of grief, loss and tragedy that are presented through each of the characters' troubled
perspectives.
J.C Burke conveys the theme of mental health through Tom's view of Daniel. Daniel is in jail.
Confined to a cell and trapped with the thoughts of the accident he caused, Daniel is helpless. The
major impact he caused on Fin's life proves to traumatise him more than anything else. Because
even though Daniel is confined to a cell, Fin is confined to a wheelchair. Never to walk on his own
two feet again. When talking to Tom about the harshness of it all, Daniel was crying as he said, "Fin.
Fin's the hardest, though, mate." "I just couldn't get this picture out of my head, Fin in a
wheelchair." Constantly...show more content...
Burke illustrates Tom's inner conflict with first–person narration. The guilt he feels over the
inactivity he had on the night of the incident, his frustration with Kylie and the added guilt he
exhibits because he feels sorry for himself all adds up to his conflicted thoughts. Tom doesn't know
or feel like himself anymore. But Burke brings this to the attention of the reader in a good light
when Tom thinks, "But now I knew what I missed most. I missed me, Tom Brennan, and that's why
now I could smile, 'cause I could see he was coming back." Thus, when J.C. Burke aptly finishes the
book with the line "that was the morning Tom Brennan came back, forever," the true development in
Tom's character and conflict is shown through the employment of first–person narration. Therefore,
J.C. Burke thoroughly addressed the conflict in Tom's mind as it was overcome in the

Year 11 English Essay The Story of Tom Brennan How does the author use characterisation to
explore the central themes of 'The Story of Tom Brennan'? 'Saturday the 27th of August' was the
day Tom Brennan's life changed forever. The Story of Tom Brennan is written by J.C. Burke with
the story centred on teenager Tom Brennan and how his brother, Daniel, made the Brennan family
the most hated people in Mumbilli. The Brennan's were then forced to move to a new town,
Coghill, where they knew no one but Gran, Tom's grandmother. Daniel had been a heavy drinker
and one night he had way too many but yet still decided to get into his car, leading to an accident
and therefore the death of two mates and leaving another a quadriplegic. The themes of growing
...show more content...
Daniel on the night of the accident decided that he would take Luke, Nicole and Fin for a ride in
his car, even though he was drunk silly. He crashed leaving Luke and Nicole dead and Fin in a
wheelchair for the rest of his life. This did not just affect himself and the 3 others, all four families
were left devastated and a community in shambles. Daniel was sentenced to jail for five years, three
non–parole meaning he wouldn't get to be somewhat free for three years, a very lenient penalty
for killing two people, and severely injuring another for the rest of their life. The small town of
Mumbilli hated the once loved Brennan family meaning they had to move away from the hate
and try to allow Mumbilli to rebuild, 'The town of Mumbilli was bleeding.' (pg107). The
Mumbilli folk would say that 'Daniel Brennan was an accident waiting to happen.' (pg 34) as well
as write on the Brennan's garage door saying 'NO JUSTICE' (pg 57) and on an outdoor wall of the
Brennan house saying 'SHAME ON YOU, BRENNANS, SHAME'(pg 174). Not only did Daniel's
drink driving actions affect an entire town, he failed to be responsible for the safety of his 'mates'
when he jumped into his car that fateful

Tom Brennan Essay
The experience of moving into the world can challenge individuals attitudes and beliefs. Into the
world explores the aspects of growth, transition and change. The novel ' The Story of Tom Brennan'
by J.C Burke explores the different ways individuals grow when they are taken out of their comfort
zones and venture into new experiences. This concept is also conveyed within the song 'Fast Car' By
Tracy Chapman and the film 'Charlie st Cloud' Directed by Burr Steers. 'The Story of Tom
Brennan' follows the lives of the Brennan family after the events of a fatal car accident, it shows
how Tom the protagonist struggles to cope with his past, similarly the song 'Fast Car' is a
representation of an escape, a women seeking to flee a life she finds...show more content...
Her changing hairstyle is also representative of her fear and difficulty in facing challenges as they
lie ahead. The film Charlie st Cloud directed by Burr Steer, deals with a tragedy similar to the
catalyst for change found in Burkes novel. This film explores the perspective if the protagonist
Charlie who is involved in a fatal car crash resulting in the death of his younger brother Sam.
Gripped by remorse, guilt and fear Charlie abandons his future dreams and becomes the care taker
of the waterside cemetery, leaving his friends and future at collage behind. he is tied to the cemetery
via the ghostly appearances of his brother Sam, and friends that have ventured into the world and
passed away. Charlies fear and withdrawal is evident when the recurring shots of his now
abandoned sailing boat is juxtaposed with the possibilities of Charlie changing his life and moving
into the world. the boat becomes a symbolic motif for Charlies fear and guilt. Whilst in Burke's
novel the 'hill' becomes a symbolic motive for facing fears and challenges.
Facing transitions and dealing with dramatic change has a influencing aspect on family and personal
relationships, through the text we see the dynamics of relationships and roles of family shift to meet
the needs of each individual as they face the challenge of moving in to the world before them. the
manner in which the various members of the Brennan family relate to each other, as well as the
horrible

Tom Brennan Relationships
relationships and friendships:
Intro: J.C Burkes novel, 'The Story Of Tom Brennan' starts with a fatal car accident. Daniel
Brennan a young driver who's had to much to drink, makes a bad decision, and drives while
intoxicated, with three other people in the car, in an instant his friends are dead, and his cousin Fin
is left with permanent spinal injuries. This book shows us how Tom Brennan's life changes when his
older brother, Daniel, kills two people and paralyses another.
This text type is a Narrative, Narrative texts have to do with real life events and time that occur, I
think this text type is appropriate for this novel because it is a fictional book with fairy tale
characters. It is characterised by sequencing of events expressed...show more content...
They have a strong connection. Through the fog of everyone's pain and guilt Tom begins to see
what he misses most, himself. It is with Chrissy Tulake, the beautiful Tongan girl who sings in the
church's choir, that Tom begins to remember who he was and who he still is. Burke demonstrates
that genuine relationships act as a mechanism for one's growth and spiritual contentment. Tom's
positive tone in "Today I kissed Chrissy Tulake, I felt like Tom Brennan" exemplifies how the
relationship with Chrissy helps him escape the pangs of paranoia and empowers him to establish a
stronger sense of personal identity. When Tom finally dates Chrissy and full fills his dreams of
doing so, they make love and thats when Tom says "that was the morning Tom Brennan came back,

Tom Brennan Chapter Questions
English Wide Reading 2013– AUSTRALIAN LITERATURE
The Story of Tom Brennan, J.C. Burke
1. a) Write a brief overview of the story.
My chosen novel, The Story of Tom Brennan by J.C. Burke, belongs to the Australian Literature
genre. The book is a pleasant read, holding the prestigious award of The Children's Book Council of
Australia's: Book of the Year for Older Readers.
The novel is written from a first–person perspective, revolving around the character of Tom Brennan.
As written in the Prologue on page 2, 'My name is Tom Brennan and this is my story.' Tom, a
typical New South Wales adolescent, enjoys his rugby, friends and normal life. The first few pages,
however, reveal that he has lost it all; forced to...show more content...
This is due to the first–person perspective that the story is written in. Because of this all of the
characters are viewed from Tom's eyes and judgement. This centres the importance on Tom's story
and thoughts rather than focusing on other's actions. The other characters are mostly minor
inclusions that appear during Tom's doings.
3. a) Outline the writing techniques used by the author.
J.C. Burke uses the first–person to narrate the story. This gives the novel a personal element and
achieves a more conversational tone. Through this perspective we are able to penetrate the thoughts
of Tom Brennan, what he is thinking. This element is crucial to the story, as it is only through this
perspective that we truly see Tom Brennan evolve. We are able to see his thinking, emotion and pain
change throughout the book through a more subtle and enjoyable style.
Another commonly used technique is conversation. Quotation covers a great percentage of the
novel, and is an important aspect. It makes the story seem more natural, like a written memory
from the Tom Brennan's past. The natural prose is key as the story is supposed to be some sort of
memory from Tom Brennan: 'My name is Tom Brennan and this is my story.' We are also able to
understand Tom Brennan through his speech, and it adds up to a more complete story with its
inclusion.
b) What is distinctive about the author's writing style?
What I picked up in particular

Tom Brennan Character Profile
Characters in 'The Story of Tom Brennan' and how they deal with aspects of growing up or
transitions into new phases of life and a broader world.
Character: TOM BRENNAN
Experience encountered| Growth, Change or other consequences as a result of the experience| Key
quotes| Language identification and analysis| Car accident| Tom wants his old life back prior to
the accident and he sees the accident as the end of his life as he knew it. He loses his sense of
identity and sense of family in particular.Feels guilty and ashamed about the irrevocable
consequences his brother's irresponsibility had for other people and their familiesRetreats into a
depressed state which feels empty and black. | p.5 Thinking about past Australia...show more
content...
In many ways, they'd saved my arse.'After seeing Brendan crying over photos of Daniel Tom
thinks p.238 '...but for the first time it helped me look at everything with a bit of distance. ..We
were all on our own journey, and some days the traveling was worse than others.'P.165 'I took the
books out and carefully, page by page, started to remove what I wanted to copy. With each memory I
touched, I felt it gain–that pain, like a sledgehammer slicing through your heart. It hurt so much but
it was a good hurt because it wasn't in vain. This was going to help Daniel. If he had to face a
future, then so did I.'p.242 When Tom and Brendan are at the waterhole talking Tom says, 'Gran
says we've got to leave our ghosts behind.'p.261 Tom describes his relationship with Chrissy, 'When
I was with Chrissy, I was me again. Simple Tom Brennan– no ties, no debt, no guilt, no bad
thoughts......I missed me, Tom Brennan, and that's why now I could smile, 'cause I could see that he
was coming back.' And when Tom and Chrissy are swimming together he says, p.283 'You are
everything. Everything!...You helped me find my old self. Believe me, that's everything.'|

Brennan Short Story
Brennan "Ok, kids, now we have a huge topic before us so we have to get crackin!" whom I
assumed was Mr. Coleford announced, walking in with a bounce in his step, "So I assume your
regular teach told you about your next topic, so all I have to do is give you your packet and we'll be
on our way!" Sighing, Brennan immediately knew this would be a long of couple of days, weeks
even. Just the way to make his life even better. He was stuck with an overly preppy teacher, a lab
partner who hadn't even realized he had been in almost all of her classes since the beginning of high
school, and a terrible life. "Ok, so I'm guessing that you want me to do all the work and write your
name on it while you go and talk to you stup–, I mean great friends...show more content...
So he continued his stick figure comic strip in the margins of his notes, in his own world.
Suddenly, the bell rang, and his process to get to class started all over again. Running, dashing and
weaving through the crowd of people, Connor ran to his next class, and arrived, barely out of breath.
Eva Second period was Eva's favorite class. After all, it was considered an arts class. It didn't
matter that no one even pretended to like her in second period. She was just happy being in that
class. Back in Craftsbury, there was such a small amount of students that there wasn't very many
options when it came to elective classes, so Eva was so happy to find there were plenty of
choices, and she would never have enough time to take them all. Right now, she was in ceramics,
where she made amazing pottery. It was the best part of Eva's day when she got to feel the smooth
clay and mold it in different shapes. Ms. Browning would play classical music, which let Eva tune
out the rest of the world. It was a small moment of serenity in a world of crazy.
Ally Ally smirked as the teacher walked in shouting about getting excited about class. Who would
even be happy to be here? She thought, Especially not with a teacher who wears skinny jeans. Ally
shuddered at the thought of it. "Dang it," she whispered, glancing at Brennan to see if he heard. He
didn't, thankfully. Ally just sighed as she realized what the rest of her week in second period had
become. A whole

Speech On The Story Of Tom Brennan
Good afternoon teachers and fellow students. Today I will be speaking about how J.C. Burke
represents transitions in "The Story of Tom Brennan" that challenges characters values and attitudes.
The story of Tom Brennan is about rugby, mates and family until a night of celebration changes his
life forever. Tom Brennan's world is turned upside down when his older brother Daniel is sent to jail
and the family are forced to leave the small town that they have lived in their whole life, which
makes it hard for Tom as he has lived in the town with his close mates in rugby forever. I have read
and studied The Story of Tom Brennan by J.C. Burke, and have also read online about it to gain a
better understanding of this text.
Daniel Brennan is the oldest

Essay Tom Brennan
IS DANIEL THE ONLY ONE TO BLAME IN THIS STORY? Daniel Brennan is the main
character of the story,' Tom Brennan'. He plays an 18 year old son, who makes a decision that
completely ruins his life and his reputation. Before the accident, Daniel had the dream life any
teenage boy could ever want. He was five–eight and his brother Tom was half–back, they worked as
a team. All that is over now. The story begins with the Brennans fleeing town. They packed all their
belongings and left. They were ashamed of what went down just weeks recently. The harsh whispers
that washed over and through the neighbourhood. They couldn't handle it. Daniel might have turned
his life and his family life around but he...show more content...
It wasn't only his fault entirely. The people around him were also to blame. They could have
helped him to make the right choice. If they would have taken the responsibility to tell Daniel not
to drive in his state, they wouldn't have died. The parents have played a very important role in
Daniels life. They brought him up always showing him what's wrong and what's right, what
choices to make, and who to trust. Being a parent means that you should always be in control of
your children for as long as possible. Daniel was said to be the type that needed guidance even
though he came across as a strong and independent. His mother knew this, but even she was
scared of what he was capable of. When times got rough the parents backed off and let him make
his own choices. That wasn't the best move to make. The parents might have shown love and
affection to Daniel but they truly couldn't see what was going on. If only they had paid enough
attention to Daniel maybe they could witness how badly he was coming off the rails. They could
of helped him. Helped him to make the right choices. Tom was angry that night. He was angry at
his brother for making everything ten times worse than it should be. Angry because he was so
drunk. Angry that he couldn't do the right thing. Tom wanted Daniel dead; he wanted him to pay for
all the shit he had caused. He didn't care if anything bad happened to him; he just needed to pay the
price

Tom Brennan Character Analysis
The pain and grief of traumatic road accidents can complicate and severely damage many
relationships, especially those in small, close knit communities. The line becomes blurred between
perpetrators and victims, as beliefs become doubted, and sympathy arises for those who sadly lost
their lives, and those who "move on from a moment that threatens to define them forever"
('Shattered', 2011). Viewers respond to compassion and remorse shown in the stories, typical views
of perpetrators and victims become challenged, demonstrating the enormous influence of a person's
attitude on other's perspective and opinion of them. The Story of Tom Brennan is an award winning
Australian novel written by Jane Burke, published by Random House during 2005....show more
content...
Despite the sufferance of victims, they often aren't entirely blameless, as their poor decisions and
irresponsibility is ultimately associated with their upsetting and newfound situation. Therefore
victims like Fin O'Neil in The Story of Tom Brennan, who ultimately chose to travel in a car with
drunken, inexperienced, and impulsive driver, it becomes questionable whether he is also
culpable for his injuries. Despite Fin's sobriety and awareness prior to the accident, this does not
implicate him, however it becomes debatable whether the outcomes would be alike; with Fin's
extensive injuries and crash itself, if the decisions made on Fin's behalf were different. Similarly
in the story of 'In My Little Town', Leigh Charter Jnr also decides to travel with a drunk driver,
regardless of the risks. Although his alertness was also compromised by alcohol, he holds some
level of responsibility in his death. However, in 'Shattered', there are no obvious victims who made
poor decisions, due to the situations isolation. Although, it is disputable whether the perpetrator;
Peter Hodgkins' friends who witnessed the accident could have altered the outcome. Though, it was
voiced to Peter; "don't throw a rock at a car, that's stupid," ('Shattered', 2011) this partly ousts some
responsibility, especially due to their intoxication, which is similar to the other stories. However,
responsibility is never fully removed from others, as it only takes one person, one conversation, and
any one action during the lead to alter the outcome of July 21st 2007, in Kiama, New South

The Story Of Tom Brennan Essay
Individuals respond in various ways to transitioning into a new phase of life and society, these
transitions can be challenging and confronting. They can also be transformative and thus some
individuals accept and others reject because it'll often initiate a series of consequences that may
accelerate one's personal growth and involuntarily change one's perspective and/or attitude. These
ideas are manifested in J.C Burke's, 'The story of Tom Brennan,' a move about the transitions that
characters face after an indelible accident. In correspondence to the short story, 'Neighbours' by Tim
Winton and is about a young couple moving from the city to the village and finding it difficult to
reside with the European migrants.
Both texts, while exhibiting...show more content...
They find it difficult to fit in with the new environment. This is in correlation when 'Tom moves
from hometown to Coghill and finding it hard to cope'. Primitively, the young couple entrenches a
negative attitude towards the village, evident in "When they first moved in, the young couple were
'wary' of the neighbourhood," which uncover their cautiousness towards the place and people and
also showing that they are judgemental. Their negative attitude is fortified in the simile, "It made the
newly–weds feel like sojourners in a foreign land", the word 'foreign' has a derogatory nature
because the couple feel like outsiders which coincidentally/fortuitously expose the couples fear of the
neighbourhood, thus creating a physical barrier between them. As they live together longer, they
experience the kind side of human nature, the neighbours helped fix the couple's broken chicken pen
and generously offered them free vegetables. Eventually, the couples "no longer walked with their
eyes lowered. They felt superior and proud"–depict a sense of liberation as the couple no longer need
to live with wariness, the emotive language 'superior and proud' delineate their reshaped positive
attitude toward the

Essay on Story of Tom Brennan Quotes
'The Story of Tom Brennan' Melany Rooney Prologue 'In a couple of hours they would wake up
and find us gone, far away, so as not to remind them of their pain and what our family now meant
to this town' (p. 2) The novel begins with a journey, both physical and emotional; the Brennans are
physically moving houses and towns, but also moving into new, unfamiliar territory. The leaving
of 'home' is synonymous with the leaving of what id known, familiar and comfortable, in a literal
and metaphorical sense. Chapter 1 'I hadn't decided if I was playing rugby this year. In fact, I hadn't
decided if I was playing ever again. I didn't know if I could without my brother. Things just weren't
that simple anymore.'...show more content...
115) Tom takes a big step forward in overcoming the adversities he's faced with, showing that he's
maturing and making steady way through his journey of growing into the wider world. Chapter 9
'The back page of the Billi Weekly ran a photo of me throwing a dive pass to Daniel' (p. 120)
Flashbacks to Tom's previous rugby games with his brother re–affirm the loss he feels towards his
old life. Tom feels the need to have everything the way it once was, and Coghill can't replicate the
joy he found in the endless afternoon training sessions with Daniel and his father, nor the
adulation of the local community. Chapter 10 'Didn't they realise we weren't like everyone else
here?' (p. 130) Tom feels because they once were a respectable family in Mumbilli, they shouldn't
be considered in the same way as others who were relatives of criminals, and shouldn't have to go
through the security measures at the prisons, like the other 'criminals'. He hadn't accepted that
Daniel was also a criminal. Chapter 11 'Well, Tess,' Kath started, 'I'm sorry about that. But my son
can't even turn his neck to see his back.' (Kath, p. 154) This serves as a reminder of the past,
everything that happened and the pain the family is now experiencing. It also stalls, and possibly
prevents, any positive progress the family had made individually in coming to terms with the
accident and getting

How Does Tom Brennan Change Throughout The Novel
Brennan as Toms physical move from Mumbilli to Coghill
The novel describes the journey of the protagonist Tom Brennan as he struggles to overcome a
car accident caused by his brother, Daniel. Which left his cousin Fin quadriplegic, killed two
friends and caused Tom's family to move from Mumbilli to Coghill. Tom's view towards certain
topics are challenged as he aims to move on from the past. This mainly includes issues about his
family and hobbies. Burke uses 1st person and repetition in "maybe after Daniel had done his time
we could go back: maybe not "to show how such a move has affected Tom. This also shows him
questioning his optimistic personality before the accident and how the change has challenged his
belief that his family will be...show more content...
The repetition of "strange", stranger" and "strangest" emphasises the realisation of the son about
his father. Also, as the narrator grows older and has gained more experience, he starts to see his
father's virtues of "honesty, generosity" and "integrity" again. In the same way, oxymoron is used to
show his change in perception as he begins to realise how insignificant he is compared to his father.
As he is "not knee–high to this long dead God". However, he realised his father's importance too
late, as his father has passed away and the tone of the poem becomes sad and depressed. This shows
the persona's regrets towards his change of heart regarding his father. Which not only shows that the
persona's perception has altered but also his perception of himself as he transitioned with experience
and

Tom Brennan
What have the attitudes and actions of people in your texts revealed to you about venturing into
society? Moving into society is a transitional phase, marked by new challenges, opportunities and
relationships. Transitions in life can change an individual's perception of the world and obstacles
may arise which test individual's strength. This is shown through analysis of the novel 'The Story of
Tom Brennan' by J.C. Burke (2005) and the memoir "At least it's not contagious' by Samantha Miles
(1995). Hindered by emotional turmoil and an uncontrollable situation in Mumbilli, the protagonist
Tom Brennan relieves his devastated life in the new realm of Coghill through forming new
relationships and accepting new avenues for personal...show more content...
Both Tom and Samantha are arrogant in their confidence as young Australian's, feeling that their
terrible experiences and situations are unfair and that other people should be held accountable. Both
texts reflect the different ways in which individuals respond to growing up or transitioning into a
new phase of life. "At least its not contagious" and "The story of Tom Brennan" are both similar in
that they both face their difficult situation with determination and bravery to move into a new
society. PLAN Intro – * Moving into society is a transitional phase, marked by new challenges,
opportunities and relationships. Transitions in life can change an individual's perception of the
world and obstacles may arise which test individual's strength. * Shown thru analysis of novel
TSTM J.C. Burke (2005) & memoir ALINC Sam. Miles (1995). * Hindered by emotional
turmoil & uncontrollable situation in M, protag. TB relieves his devastated life in new realm
of C thru...... forming of new realtionships & accepting new avenues for personal development.
* Likewise – ALINC reflects on the uncontrollable situations life can throw at indiv. & shows
(us–resp) that determination and acceptance is the only way to overcome these obstacles. * 2 texts
show how the attitudes & actions of ppl can be altered when faced with life changing decisions.
1st – * When venturing

The Story Of Tom Brennan Essay

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The Story Of Tom Brennan Essay