Jim's search for identity in David Malouf's novel Fly Away Peter is depicted largely through his actions and interactions with others, as well as through his thoughts and interests. One of the strongest representations of this quest is seen when he travels to Brisbane, where he finds himself swept up in the excitement of war and the reader sees in him what he calls "an alternative" (39) or a new "stable and certain ” (39) side to himself. He later reflects on the war and “all this action” (41), thinking to himself: “Maybe it worried him, maybe not part of what a man was existed inside and was known only to himself” (41). This can be seen as a turning point for Jim, as here we can see that he recognizes that he has to create his own identity. Despite this he later thinks: “Nothing has changed” (41). ; however, immediately afterwards the reader sees him “stroking his upper lip, where he had been grooming the beginnings of his mustache for two days now” (43), a sure sign that he was beginning to create or find his own identity of the characters in Fly Away Peter} is very important in the overall search for meaning or purpose in life, as it is their identity that defines who they are and what they are destined to do. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Jim's interactions with those who seem to have found and defined their own identity are a key element in his search for identity. His relationship with Ashley is a very clear example of this, as it is a relationship in which class distinction and social position are defined and at the same time neglected. Much of the first chapters of the novel are dedicated to defining the relationship between Jim and Ashley. Ashley is represented as "an English gentleman" (9), as seen in the descriptions of his clothes, his "elegant accent" (6), and general mannerisms. The reader sees a big difference between Ashley and Jim, who can be seen as a polar opposite. However, when they first meet, Jim is described as "[making] no attempt to...recognize any difference between himself and Ashley except that one was on a horse and the other had his two feet planted firmly on the ground " (15). Although this is a physical description, it can also be seen as a metaphor for the class distinction between the two: Jim recognizes Ashley as being of an upper class and yet also sees him as "a man he could talk to" (4), one with interests and goals similar to yours. This definition of where Jim is in life and who he can relate to is very important in his attempt to define his own identity. The reader is able to relate to this search for identity, which everyone faces at one time or another in their lives; which creates depth in the novel and brings to life not just a simple story, but a depiction of the search for purpose and identity, which has universal meaning. Jim's desire to be "part of something bigger than himself" is part of his search for identity or purpose in life and ultimately leads him to war. Throughout the novel Jim is seen as an “outsider”: he does not participate in the excitement of the news of the war and his “map” of the world around him makes him seem detached from what he observes. However, you can also see that Jim wants to be part of something bigger than himself. This is first seen when Ashley creates her “sanctuary”: Jim describes it as “not just a job but a job, years, a life” (19). His sense of being part of something bigger is also seen when he talks about the sanctuary to Imogen: “a week later Jim told her about the sanctuary, actually using the high wordvoice for the first time, for now he was certain that there was nothing in her there that could mock her greatness” (29). Jim's desire to be part of something bigger can still be seen when he talks or thinks about war. On his first day in Brisbane, hearing about the war and seeing the excitement, he “felt… as if the ground before him, which only minutes before had stretched towards a clear future, had suddenly tilted in the direction of the Europe, in the direction of events” (37). This desire will reveal itself later when “he felt the ground tilt, as he had felt it that first day in Brisbane, in the place where the war was” (56). This representation of the war as “something bigger” is also seen in Jim's first description of the war: “others were involved. Many thousands. And they were quite normal people like him” (59). Jim's desire to be part of something bigger can be seen as part of his search for his place and purpose in the world around him. The war is simply an opportunity for him to discover who he is and contribute in a greater way than he otherwise could. Jim's curiosity or desire to know more about the world around him, especially birds, leads him to attempt to discern his place within it. His insightful observations allow the reader to discover more about his progress in this discernment. Birds hold a special place in Jim's consciousness and this can be seen as representative of his curiosity about the unknown. An example of this is when Jim marvels at a sandpiper's ability to cross the world, “clearly seeing the space between the two points, and knowing that the distance, however great, could certainly be covered a second time… idea made Jim's head spin” (21). Jim's interest in everything he sees around him shows his attempt to understand the world around him and his own purpose or place in it; this gives depth to his seemingly simple, yet complicated character, a depth that the reader observes, thus creating more than just a story. The theme of continuity almost goes against the search for a purpose or meaning in life; however, it allows the reader to relate to this quest and identify with the characters who undertake it. The continuity of life is seen through a variety of different motifs and symbols throughout the novel. Birds are a very important motif; they continue with their usual lives and patterns despite what is happening to the characters in the novel. This is highlighted when Jim leaves for war when he says, “they didn't talk about Jim's job. He was not told that the job would be there for him when he returned. The birds could wait. The time span for them was more or less infinite” (57). An important symbol for the continuity of life is that of the surfer seen by Imogen towards the end of the novel: “the young man was still there, with his arms outstretched, riding… Everything changed. The past did not hold and could not be held” (142). This acceptance of the continuation of life, despite the death of not only Jim, but so many others, is an important presentation of the continuity of life. The continuation of events in nature and the rest of the world – despite the war, Clancy's death, Eric's disfigurement, Jim's death, and so on – presents the idea that perhaps there is no purpose or meaning to all life individual and therefore addresses a "universal problem of life", thus making the novel more than just a story. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now.Get a custom essayThe novel Fly Away Peter goes..