English Intertextual - How do Peter Porter in “Your Attention Please” and J Blakeson in The Fifth Wave PDF

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How do Peter Porter in “Your Attention Please” and J Blakeson in The Fifth Wave explore the ideas of trust and humanity?...

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Intertextual English Literary Studies How do Peter Porter in “Your Attention Please” and J Blakeson in The Fifth Wave explore the ideas of trust and humanity?

Peter Porter’s “Your Attention Please ” and J Blakeson’s “The Fifth Wave” utilise a range of literary techniques in order to explore the ideas of trust and humanity. Porter’s text and Blakeson’s film explore the concept of faith arising from horrific circumstances and economic disparity. Blakeson’s film follows the human race standing on the edge of extinction as a series of alien attacks devastate the planet, causing earthquakes, tsunamis and disease. Contrastingly, Porter’s text implies the end of the world, questioning the scientific advancement due to evident apocalyptic features; ultimately sensing the end of the world by fire. To convey this theme, the two authors have employed imagery, emotive language, sentence structure, foreshadowing, narration, characterisation and ambiguity in their respected pieces.

Porter and Blakeson use an array of imagery and emotive language to explore the ideas of trust and humanity in conjunction with ideologies present within each text. Porter utilises emotive language through the narrator when he states, “Give your children the pills marked one and two- and send them to bed”. This interpolation, in which he implies the use of suicide pills exemplifies the horrific experience expected of listeners as suicide seems to be the best way out (especially for children as it would be a painless death).

Similarly, Blakeson employs imagery to explore themes of trust and

humanity when Cassie states, “They swoop down from the sky…. ray guns blasting away, and always, always, humanity sets aside its differences and bands together to defeat the alien horde." This enlightens the audience to the trust within humanity, and the brotherhood experienced by the survivors, resulting in a state of socioeconomic hardship as well as stripping them of their ability to feel safe within the world. Extensive imagery also is evident within the film to stimulate an emotional response in the audience. This is illustrated when Cassie describes what humans expect an alien invasion to look like- she paints a vivid picture that she contrasts with what really happened. For many viewers, such dire circumstances are simply unthinkable of, therefore evoking a strong sense of concern, and sympathy. Similarly, Porter’s text uses emotive and bureaucratic language in order to exemplify the trust exemplified within the circumstances of fear and the world indefinitely ending. This is evident when the narrator states, “Some of us may die… remember, statistically, it is not likely to be you” and “Death is the least we have to fear”. Such emotive language is present so that the audience can infer conflict caused by concerns over a life or death situation and an ultimate emotional struggle. Therefore, through using imagery and emotive language, Porter and Blakeson successfully convey the theme of trust and humanity in their texts.

Intertextual English Literary Studies

Porter and Blakeson employ sentence structure and foreshadowing to emphasise the themes of trust and humanity. Porter exemplifies sentence structure in his text as the poem utilises short sentences in order to create a sense of panic and urgency. The narrator’s sentences are only six words or less and follow a literary pattern throughout the entirety of the announcement. The statement, “This announcement will take… two and a quarter minutes” speaks with a sense of humanity of societal awareness. Contrastingly, Blakeson uses foreshadowing to emphasise the elements of trust and humanity in a nostalgic manner. This is demonstrated when Cassie states, “Maybe that will be the 5th wave, attacking us from the inside… turning our own minds into weapons". This illustrates foreshadowing as it is in theory, the fifth wave itself (proclaimed at an early stage of the film). This statement emphasises the importance of considering both sides of survival through trusting allies and creating a sense of unity within the public. Foreshadowing is additionally present in Porter’s film when, “Whatever happens, happens by his will... now go quickly to your shelters” is stated. This statement exhibits the inevitable ending of the world and attempts to restore fear in listeners and enlighten them to the truth of what is truly happening. These elements of sentence structure and foreshadowing endeavours to convey the sense of trust and humanity and the importance of sustaining brotherhood during such devastating and problematic situations. Thus, both Peter Porter and J Blakeson were successful in their attempts to emphasise the central themes of trust and humanity.

Both Porter and Blakeson stress the theme of imposed socioeconomic equality through ambiguity and narration and using trust and humanity as a pivotal force. Porter uses ambiguity as the text implies that there is deeper meaning to the clinical announcement – suggesting that everything has been prepared for lies and the outlook of mass death and annihilation. This element of ambiguity foreshadows the tragedy that is about to occur among citizens of the world. Ambiguity also is apparent when the narrator states, “our president has already given orders for massive retaliation… it will be decisive”. Such ambiguity produces a range of interpretations whereby they are able to depict what is coming in the hands of the governmental and political power. This ambiguity an angered reaction within the audience at the unfairness of the situation for the protagonists. Similarly, Blakeson exemplifies themes of trust and humanity through the first person narration of Cassie and Ben. The theme of narration in imperative for the tone and theme of such film and had a major influence in especially frantic situations. However, Blakeson additionally is able to make stressful situations more intense by switching between both Ben and Cassie. This builds suspense and ramps up viewer’s anxiety as the outcome of the given situation is postponed. This is demonstrated when Cassie screams, “Get on your knees before I shoot you”, followed by Ben backing her up by stating, “Hands behind your head… now”. This is ironic as, in order for the narration to flow, both characters are feeling the same emotion and share the same viewpoint in even the most stressful circumstances. Hence, the authors use ambiguity and narration allowed them to successfully convey the trust and humanity seen through their award winning pieces.

Intertextual English Literary Studies Peter Porter and J Blakeson similarly explore the notion of trust and humanity seen amongst the hardships faced in both of their own pieces. The text and film effectively evoke emotion within the audience, ensuring that the central theme of trust is acknowledged. Both authors have expertly conveyed the key concept with the incorporation of emotive language, imagery, foreshadowing, sentence structure, ambiguity and narration. It is through exploring the text and film that the audience can understand the collapse of societal structure that occurs with such hardships and inhumane circumstances without the elements of both trust and humanity....