Comparison Between 'Weapons Training' and 'the Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender'

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Composers throughout the ages have used distinctive voices for a number of things. To raise awareness on a certain issue, to give the audience a sense of belonging and intimacy on some level with the character, the list goes on. Similarly, the composers of the texts ‘The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender’ and ‘Weapons Training’ shape our perceptions of the world, via the distinctive voices of their characters, to help effectively communicate their own thoughts, beliefs and perhaps even morals. Marele Day, author of "The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender" shows a prime example of this, by using her characters Claudia Valentine and Harry Lavender as mediums in which to voice her opinions by basing certain traits of their characteristics upon her own beliefs, most notably sexism and the search for truth. This in turn effectively conveys her perceptions to the readers, and allows them to compare and challenge their own perceptions of society and the world. Bruce Dawe, author of the text 'Weapons Training', challenges the readers perceptions regarding warfare and the harsh realities of the world through the distinctive voice of the drill sergeant. Through use of a number of techniques, Dawes is able to create a distinctive voice for the drill sergeant, thereby creating a vice in which his own beliefs and ideals may be shared with the reader. In ‘Weapons Training’, Dawe effectively communicates his perspectives of disdain for warfare and propaganda, through the character the drill sergeant. His voice is made distinctive through sequences of deleterious pejoratives, and using cruelty as a key and recurring feature of his speech. An example would include “are you a queer, unsightly fat, your stupid neck”. The drill sergeants sole duty to the cadets is to train them in survival. This is undoubtedly a serious task, and one that would require the full and unwavering
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