u/CheEeCakEe — reddlx

Hi guys, I have never gotten above a 4 in compare and contrast and I have been trying to practice that really hard since english isnt my first language, everyone pls give me tips on how to improve.. :c <3 and what i should focus on

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Q. Compare and contrast how two texts present the experience of childhood.

Text types: Text 1: The Selfish Giant, Text 2: The Present.

Essay:

Text 1 is a short film, called “The Present” it is written by Fabio Coala and Text 2 is a short story, written by Oscar Wilde, called “The Selfish Giant”. Text 1 symbolises on the idea of the effect of environment on childhood, whereas Text 2 focuses more on the concept of childhood innocence and purity, and its effect on others. Both the Texts focus on themes like acceptance and transformation of identity. The writers construct these ideas through experiences, use of diction, tone, symbolism and different storylines to express similar ideas.

Both Text 1 and 2, present the idea of how environment and childhood have a vice versa role in the impact they play on each other. Through Text 1 we can see the impact of environment on childhood. The Present, suggests this through, introducing a change in the boy’s environment, in this case the dog, depicting how it can influence the boys behaviour. Initially the boy is frustrated after seeing the disabled dog, this can be because he might project his insecurities of being disabled onto the dog. He pushes feelings of emotion like hatred and anger after seeing the dog, which could be feelings of mockery, that his mother got him such a dog. During time stamp (1:50 - 1:60) The way he keeps looking down from the game and secretly smiles when dog is not looking shows that he cares but hides it. (using video angle - medium close up shot), we are able to analyse hidden emotions carefully, and his opening up of feelings as he views the dogs actions of resilience. He notices how he doesn’t let his disability make it a limiting factor for him, changing the boys views on the dog. This brings out a change in the boy. In the start of the film we see the boy being irritated by the fact him mother opened the window shades, but at the end of the short film we see a change in his attitude, as he willingly chooses to leave the house. This can highlight childhood as a time of learning and development of attitude and embracing of differences.

In contrast, Text 2 presents the same idea in a different way, Oscar presents the idea in an opposing way, showing how children can have an effect on their environment and surroundings. This is demonstrated through line “Once a beautiful flower put its head out from the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it was so sorry for the children that it slipped back into the ground again, and went off to sleep.”, personifying the flower as a human, with the characteristic of putting its head up, which can symbolised joy or excitement. And when it notices the board, which again personified human features like reading, and then went back to sleep, symbolised that if the life of the children is not present in the garden, the joy and purity, the flowers don’t ned to bloom for the selfish giant. This showcases the large impact children have on the environment around them, bringing joy to everything and everyone. We see that when the Giant learns of his selfishness and changes, the environment around him also changes as the seasons change, This demonstrated the ability of childhood and the role it plays on the surroundings. This contrasts with The present, Where the environment influences the child, whereas in The Selfish Giant the children themselves transform the environment around them.

In conclusion, Both Text 1 and 2 explore the link between environment and Childhood, and the linear role they play on each other. They connect the experience through emotions, dialogue and many narrative devices, presenting their relationship in different ways. While Text 1, The present focuses on how environment plays a role in the emotional change and behaviour of the child, Text 2 focuses on the impact children play on their surrounding, the innocence and the light they bring, have a change on the environment. To conclude, from this compare and contrast the main takeaway is that childhood can either be influenced by the environment it experiences, or the environmental experience can be shifted and controlled by childhood experiences.