The longest journey of a person is the journey inward, Dag Hammerskjvld. An inner journey is an effective trip of the mind, soul and spirit that affects on all aspects of a persons life. Inner journeys provide personal, spiritual and intellectual development and advancement. Experiences that permit individual advancement and growth will alter the manner in which some aspects of life is viewed. Daisy and Gladys launch inner expeditions about approval of their aboriginality, their spiritual identity as aborigines and their self-confidence/ self worth.
Gladys dealt with numerous challenges and obstacles in her life. At Parkerville kids’s home Gladys frowned at the colour of her skin. “I desired to be white; I even hoped a white family would adopt me …” Gladys’ fear of authority and her aboriginality came from her mom Daisy. Upon admitting her nationality, an old woman exclaimed “Oh you poor thing … What on earth are you going to do? … Mum informed me I must never ever tell anybody what I was, that was when I started wanting I was someone different .
.. mum made me really frightened, I was truly terrified of authority.” This use of verbatim offers a subjective perspective of a character.
It offers its own uniqueness, speed and rhythm to Gladys’ story. Throughout the book Gladys moves from rejection to a passive acceptance of her aboriginality to pride. “I feel ashamed now to think that when I wished to be white … I have actually changed given that those days” The natural vernacular used by Gladys gives her story individuality and through using everyday language positions the broader audience to react to the story.
Her changing perspective about her preferred skin colour signifies personal development and development as she is now accepting herself holistically rather then in pieces.
Daisy’s life has been scarred with physical and sexual exploitations and hardships. “I’m ‘shamed of myself, now. I feel ‘shamed for some of the things I done. I wanted to be white; you see…what was wrong with my own people?” The emotive use of verbatim with words such as “‘shamed” create an individual speech pattern for Daisy’s story and adds veracity. The comparison between what she feels now and what she felt previously show inner growth and self exploration. Saying that she wanted to be white and now acknowledges and appreciates the fact that she is black is a big positive and progressive step for Daisy. “…he told us we must save ourselves for marriage.
Most of us had already been taken by white men. We felt really ‘shamed… There I was stuck in the middle. Too black for the whites and too white for the blacks.” Daisy held little control over her life; she was constantly downtrodden and made to feel like a second class citizen or half human. “Sal the fights gone out o’ me. I got no strength left…Blackfellas got to show the white man what they made of. I like to think the black man will get treated same as the white man one day…” Daisy lets go in the end because she finally accepts her aboriginality. The emotive language used positions the audience to respond with empathy.
My place as well as the inner journeys of Daisy and Gladys has taught me many valuable lessons about journeys. I learnt that not all inner journeys result in wholeness and attainment. Though I also learnt that even a small amount of personal growth and development can change and impact upon a person tremendously.
Inner journeys involve self exploration in which individuals review their growth and development in the light of experiences which challenge and test them. Inner exploration can provide clarity, direction, increased self esteem and better insight into oneself, others and the surrounding world. Gladys and Daisy both experience inner journeys as they explore their aboriginality and themselves. The women both learn adapt and change as they survive through numerous challenges and obstacles transforming into more wholesome people.
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