Rationale

My final project explores transformation by considering the following question about change: how does Jimmy’s behaviour change on trying to preserve time as the day goes on? My project response to this question is that even though it seems like you want to cling onto a moment, a point will come when you have to let go of that thought and involve yourself into the activity you want, this is also visible in Jimmy’s behavior as my picture essay clarifies.

I was inspired by the short story ‘Getting Closer’ written by Steven Millhauser. This is evident by comparing the theme of ‘Getting Closer’, which is trying to preserve time to the greatest degree possible with my theme of changing behaviour and transformations within oneself as you try to do so.

I expanded on my theme by doing the following, I analysed the tone changes throughout the story, realising that the beginning was a lot calmer whereas as the story developed, the wording used in the short story shows that Jimmy’s excitement is rising and his behaviour is changing alongside.

My use of setting underlines the theme by expanding on what Jimmy is going through and how he feel about it, an example for this would be exploring the fact that the sky is grey ‘showing that Jimmy is slightly frightened and anxious about not being able to preserve time anymore’.

The imagery used in my picture essay models the way Jimmy felt in this time, the 4th picture shows ‘his long walk into the insecure, with a grey sky’. This portrays the way Jimmy is feeling, slightly frightened and anxious.

My understanding of symbolic meaning is influenced by Millhauser as can be seen when looking at the third picture, the gate symbolising ‘not being afraid to take risks, achieving goals and for Jimmy that is to finally get into the river and start his day’. Another example of this is progression, throughout the picture essay I show Jimmy’s progression in his behaviour showing that ‘the way he acts changes from extremely shy to alive and full of energy. It can also be seen in the atmosphere used in the photographs, some are more neutral whilst other show grey sky and the challenge which Jimmy is facing.

The most important creative decisions I made in the project were not only the setting mentioned earlier but also the angles at which the photographs were taken, it clarifies how long Jimmy’s road is before he can achieve his goal. Another is that I had to make sure that the pictures didn’t only look well thought out, I made sure that the pictures would resonate with the reader to give them a deeper understanding. The third creative decision is making sure all of my chosen images had a symbolic meaning forging an even brighter picture into the reader's head.

Literary devices work together towards a common goal. I have made sure to weave together the use of literary devices. My evidence of this is using the gates to symbolise achieving goals and not being afraid to take risks. I revealed different types of tone throughout to shed light on Jimmy’s behavior changing.Likewise, I used progression to portray Jimmy’s evolvement as a character and the atmosphere in the pictures to portray his mood.

#English