Go Back To Where You Came From Odyssey Analysis

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‘People can be transformed by the experience of discovery’

Due to the innate nature of discovery, it becomes an intrinsic urge for one to explore and to be enlightened and transformed by an intense event that can change or challenge ones’ understandings and perceptions of ourselves and others. Discoveries are usually confronting; it is a transformative process for the individual and for broader society, creating renewed understandings and perceptions on society. This is reflected through the SBS hybrid Reality TV/Documentary composed by Ivan O’Mahoney “Go Back To Where You Came From [2011] (GB)”, which presents the spiritual change of the individuals involved as they embark on a physical journey living as a refugee. Whereas in Homer’s novel (translated by Robert Fagles) “The Odyssey [2006]”, the characters were transformed deeply through the multiple challenges that they were presented with, which created the theme of self-discovery.

In GB, Raquel was shown to be the most transformed individual, through the repeated use of the mini-documentary of the individuals, the compassionate actions that she took while with the Masudi family in the Kakuma Refugee camp (Episode 3), and the empathy that she has for the refugees as she has experienced for herself the struggles and hardships that they have to face. “I guess I am a little bit racist... I don’t …show more content…

The characters were shown to only transform after they discovered that they have to rediscover something concealed and forgotten within them to succeed, and with the help of Athena, these characters also learn that it only takes the ‘inner flame’ within to accomplish anything in life. By the representation of the characters in “The Odyssey”, Homer shows us that self-discovery is always possible and human progression/transformation is

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