The ‘Area of Study: Journey’ about how content is reviewed to examine the ways ideas and characters are brought to life in a storyline which comprise a journey. On a journey, the individual may encounter a certain type of journey (physical, emotional, spiritual etc.), challenges and obstacles, may gain a motivation and many more. These aspects can challenge the main character in a variety of different ways, extending the main character and helping them evolve into a stronger and more experienced person, they also establish new traits about themselves and discover new limits that they are prepared to take on.

 

On a journey, the character may encounter a specific type of journey which allows and helps them grow and evolve as a character and person. The American-German war drama film, ‘The Book Thief’, directed by Brian Percival depicts many examples of some traits found in a journey. 'The Book Thief' follows the story of Liesel, as she experiences a physical and intellectual journey, that leads her to live a life that is considered ‘dangerous’ during the time-period setting. Due to (rumours depict) Liesel’s mother being a communist, Liesel and her younger brother were sent to live with a new family in Germany - Heavens Street. Unfortunately, before they even arrived, Liesel’s younger brother dies and Liesel is left with no one. In remembrance of her brother, she grabs the nearest object - a book ‘The Grave-diggers handbook’. This gesture and the book is considered greatly significant on Liesel’s intellectual journey as she becomes fascinated with learning to read and write, with the help of her new foster father Hans Huberman. As well as her intellectual journey, her physical journey is just as significant because as the film begins, she is sent to a new environment, new home with new people. From there onwards, she becomes acquainted and later comes to love her foster parents Hans and Rosa Huberman, and her friend Rudy. Later presented in the film, is Max Vandenburg, a Jew hiding in refuge in their household. Due to her stay in Heaven’s street and learning to socialise, she quickly becomes friends with Max. 

 

In comparison, the concept of journey can also be depicted in the novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, as the novel presents a physical, emotional and intellectual journey on serious issues of racism, rape and inequality.

 

Another concept of journey that may be depicted is challenges and obstacles. Through different challenges, the character may overcome, some weaknesses blocking them from evolving.

 

‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ is known as a classic American literature that has sold over 30 million copies. Another concept of journey that is depicted in this book is challenges and obstacles, the protagonists had to face, during one the main plot of the story. Atticus Finch is assigned to defend a negro Tom Robinson who has been accused of rape against a white girl Mayella Ewell. Atticus presents very logical explanations and evidence to prove Tom’s innocence, however Tom get injustice conviction to prison and is eventually shot and killed for an attempted prison escape. This main scene relates to challenges and obstacles because, challenges are set to improve and extend ones self, however unfortunately not everything ends with a happy ending. 

Through this decision to defend a negro, has gotten Atticus targeted with disapproval and was almost killed by a mob angry men. This challenge has been proven in the novel, that those little events meant nothing to him as he wanted to do the right thing, therefore this challenge increase character to a resilient and resected individual.

 

This concept is also used in ‘The Book Thief’ as Liesel had to overcome her own challenges, such as learning to read and write, bearing the bullying of the classmates and moving to a new environment after the spontaneous death of her brother.

 

The composers of ‘The Book Thief’ and ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ have communicated many techniques to depict the journey of Liesel (The Book Thief) and Atticus and his family - Jem and Scout (To Kill A Mockingbird) through the use of dialogue, film techniques, such as close up and mid shot depicting the significance of objects and expressions through film and the use of description and dialogue in the novel, to make the plot interesting and worthwhile.

 

In conclusion, the film ‘The Book Thief’ and the novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ have clearly depicted the use of technique and story plot to represent their journey in the content, therefore have linked to the concepts of the rubric and structure.