English Comparative Essay of The Longest Memory and 7 Stages of Grieving (Grade A+)

Summary:

The English Comparative Essay compares the impossibility of characters in ‘The Longest Memory’ and ‘The 7 Stages of Grieving’ to resist systemic abuse of power. Both texts depict marginalization by those in social authority, resulting in the brutal treatment of victims. While resistance is nearly impossible, moments of joy and catharsis can help alleviate pain. Racism perpetuates through generations due to those in power, and it inhibits the emotional and physical ability of victims to retaliate. Victims can feel relief through love and numbness. The authors encourage hope and faith in reconciliation, but they also acknowledge the intergenerational impact of prejudice. Resilience can only be achieved through humanity from the oppressors.

Excerpt:

English Comparative Essay of The Longest Memory and 7 Stages of Grieving

Compare how it is impossible for the characters from ‘The Longest Memory’ and ‘The 7 Stages of
Grieving’ to resist the systemic abuse of power.

Set against the backdrop of a pre-Civil War Virginia, Fred D’Aguiar’s 1994 novella The Longest Memory
utilizes the grounded realism of historical fiction to portray the perpetuation of racist ideologies against
African Americans. Likewise, Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman’s theatrical play The 7 Stages of
Grieving depicts the subjugation of Indigenous Australians in post-European-colonisation Australia, and
their difficult path to reconciliation. Both texts convey that marginalization is conducted by those with
social authority, and often results in brutal inflictions upon the victims. The trio of authors dejectedly
suggest that the systemic abuse of power can usually be impossible to resist by oppressed individuals.
However, they convey that even though victims can’t completely retaliate against the majority which shortchanges and judges them, they can alleviate the pain of loss through moments of joy and feelings of
catharsis. Ultimately, both the novella and the play assert that prevalent abuse of authority can be nearly
impossible to resist by individuals weakened by physical and psychological torture, however, encourage
that despite this, the pain and grief can be minimized through moments that bring relief