Go Back To Where You Came From Odyssey Analysis

‘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

like Africans”; because of this statement, we understand why the composer placed her into the group which would interact with an African family. This however, allowed Raquel to confront her views on Africans, which allowed her to have renewed perceptions, and assisted her in rediscovering the aspect of humanity – “we all have hearts, and I have a heart”. The editing of the mini-documentary shows that she is narrow-minded and uneducated, through the description “left school at 14, unemployed from Western Sydney”. The composer purposely shows the flashback of that scene when Raquel hugs the Masudi family, showing the audience the comparison of how far she changed and how much she has transformed from the beginning of the show.

Telemachus in “The Odyssey”, was shown to be naturally courageous, wanting to help his mother but lacks the confidence to do so, even though he has these weaknesses, it is Athena who drives him and gives him the hope/confidence required to defend his home. All that was required was a shove from the Gods, to bring out the best traits that was concealed within him. His character is comparable to the individuals that took part in the ‘Refugee experience’, showing that an event or a ‘nudge’/encouragement from someone (Raquel’s boyfriend and Raye’s husband wanted them to be a part of this journey) can cause one to rediscover their best traits and their humanity. Homer creating struggles for each character emphasises the transformative processes of human progression, through Telemachus progression and struggles, he discovers the confidence, and is able to exhibit the strength that has been concealed within him. This shows that he was able to find his will and succeed accordingly, showing the composer’s idea of human progression through self-discovery.

Through cultural issues that drive a reassessment of values, the questioning of individuals which divides a nation, deeper understandings of themselves and others are required to fully assess the issue. Through the film technique of a mini-documentary, Raye’s vulgar language “I could’ve gone over there with a gun and shot the lot of them, isn’t that terrible”, juxtaposes with Raye’s remarks later in the series with a close up shot - “I had no idea it was so bad… not easy for me to hear that”, emphasising how emotional it has become for her after his discovery. Raye is then shown, empathising with Maisara Masudi, for the death of her children due to the lack of money required to purchase medicine “I do understand… where she’s coming from, I know how hard it is to move on”, this scene from Episode 1 shows the start of her transformation through her own discoveries.
Raye’s final monologue in Episode 3 “when I first came on this adventure, I was really narrow minded, tunnel visioned and then I started to see more and get a broader picture”, conveys Raye’s transformation throughout the series of GB. She has shown to have completely changed her perspectives and perceptions of refugees and if she was in ‘their shoes’ she would do the same thing and ‘get on a boat’ – “I would probably do anything to give my family a better life”. Throughout the series, it is evident that each individual rediscovers their empathy and sympathy for the refugees after the realisation that these people aren’t as fortunate as themselves “we just have to survive… because it certainly isn’t living”, it is this cultural discovery that they disclose their compassionate self, and the humanity that they possess. Through the deeper understandings that they experienced, these discoveries are able to transform an individual’s values and perceptions of themselves and others.
Homer’s key character, Athena, the guide to self-discovery helped the characters’ progress through their journeys, she was the god who helped most of the other characters through their moment of human progression/transformation. “The gods will only help those who are worthy of it” shows that the characters that Athena helped were respectable and noble characters, she conveys that during struggles and self-discovery, human progression and transformations will occur. Relating to GB, this shows that anyone with an open mind can go through their own transformation which could change and renew their current perceptions of themselves and others.
All the characters used in “The Odyssey” conveys Homer’s belief of human progression when faced with hardship, and that traits in these characters are vital in this progression.

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

inevitable.