A Learning Object designed to prompt students as they create their own analysis and respond to the play, Away, by Michael Gow

1. AWAY MICHAEL GOW
Michelle Merritt

2. Overview
Away focuses on three families
embarking on their summer
holiday at the end of the year.
The families are seen as a cross
section of the Australian
community at the time and they
have different life experiences,
aspirations and attitudes.

3. Setting
It is important to remember that this is
a play. The theatre setting is
described as minimalist so that the
focus is placed on the characters and
their interaction with one another.
The ‘larger’ setting is the late 1960’s
when Australia’s involvement in the
Vietnam war was causing social and
political criticism and dissent.

4. Structure
The play is written
in five acts,
structured into
overture, conflict
and resolution.

5. Physical Journey
The play begins during the
Christmas season and the
characters undergo
transformation as they face
challenges on their ‘physical’
journey when faced with new
situations and unfamiliar
environments.

6. Dramatic Features
Stock/Stereotypical Characters
Play within a Play
Soliloquy
Juxtaposition
Imagery

7. Language – Figures of Speech
Colloquial Language
Shakespearean Allusion
Sarcasm
Metaphor
Repetition
Irony

8. Character List
• She shows strength of character
in the face of herson’s illness
• Supporting and loving, very
practical.
Vic
• Experience of poverty have led
to her being bitter and hardened
• Class conscious and pretentious
Gwen
• Emotionally disconnected
• Inability to accept the loss of her
son
Coral
• He is a young man and budding
actor who has cancer
• He has a larger part as a ‘healer’
in the play.
Tom
•Like Vic, Harry is very supportive of
his family, practically minded and
loves his son.Harry
•Seems submissive and passive in
the beginning; however, this is
understanding.
•He is patient and stoic – holding
his family together. A Peacemaker.
Jim
•The school principal
•Concerned with his position in
societyRoy
•Strong willed and opinionated
•Quick temperedMeg

9. Themes
Family
Life and Death
Nature as a healing force
Shakespeare

10. Symbolism
Christmas Present
The Beach
The Shells
The Bonfire
The Storm