Essay

The dramatic text ‘Boy Overboard’ adapted by Patricia Cornelius from the novel written by Morris Gleitzman symbolises both a physical and emotion journey of immigrants, Bibi and Jamal, trying to escape from the Afghani government and the Taliban to a new home ( Australia) to start their lives again. The progression of their journey to a new home begins in the refugee camp within Pakistan and moves to Indonesia by a plane then finally in treturous seas in a fishing boat filled with many refugees trying to reach Australia. This complex, modern journey is signified in the text through the use of language, characters & dramatic techniques.

The text represents the complex emotions associated with such a strenuous physical journey which has been forcefully put upon these children by the Government of both Afghanistan & Australia.

Within the play, Cornelius uses dramatic techniques to highlight how their journey is dangerous, but necessary. Symbolism is used frequently within the play to highlight the hope that they hold in spite of the perils that they have to face.

In Scene 6, page 15, Fatima tells her children, Bibi & Jamal, that ‘With this candle nothing will happen to us.’ This candle stick is extremely similar to Jamal’s soccer ball given to him by his best friend before leaving Afghanistan. Both of these items that the family holds are constantly creating hope for their future and are re-assuring that everything is going to be alright.

Another technique that is used throughout the dramatic text is language.

Bibi is frequently using colloquial language throughout the dramatic text. Not only does she use colloquial language about her country, but uses it against Afghanistan. In scene 4, page 10, she describes her home as ‘a bum boil’.