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Area of Study - The Journey

Studying for the Examination
Imaginative Journeys

Key headings could be

  1. How texts depict imaginative journeys through
    • Imagined worlds
    • speculation and
    • inspiration.
  2. How texts depict the power of the imagination
    • to challenge their thinking
    • broaden their understanding
  3. the assumptions behind these depictions

These could be summarised into a table for study in this way.

Note Not every text will provide information to fill each of the categories.

Text is Stimulus Booklet: "The Ivory Trail"
Elements of the Imaginative Journey Interpretation of the Text How elements are depicted
Assumptions underlying depiction

Imaginative journeys are exciting and potentially dangerous.They take you to exotic and mysterious places where, if you are perceptive, you can grow in maturity and wisdom.
Imagined world A young person's encounter with the wonder of the exotic East that leads to understanding and maturity. Collage bringing together the eyes of a young person and images (he will presumably see on his journey) associated with Eastern cultures.
Speculation/Inspiration The book cover invites the reader to speculate about the narrative and is designed to motivate the viewer to purchase it. The Ivory Trail suggests both travel and detective work, possibly to track of ivory poachers. The super heading, Not all journeys have an ending, is enigmatic and acts as a teaser. The use of reds and golds favoured by eastern cultures signify richness and danger to its western readers.
Challenges to thinking Ambiguity of colour and images lead the reader to question the values traditionally associated with these colours and images of the East. The colours place the time of day at sunrise or sunset and the face is overlaid with the image of shifting sands. This could symbolise the hope of a new day or the end of old ways.
Broaden understanding The opposition of east/west is dissolved into a new form which acknowledges the power and beauty of both. The collage drawing together icons of the East viewed by western eyes is overlaid by ambiguities of genre, colour and time to give a sense that there is much to know and understand.