Explain how Billy Elliot portrays the consequences of moving into the world.

Individuals may experience consequences as they transition into the world due to societys perception of

normal. However, with the determination to succeed, they will overcome these obstacles. Stephen Daldrys

film, Billy Elliot and Paulo Cohelos novella, The Alchemist, portrays the consequences of moving into

the world and how with a determination to pursue ones dream allows them to successfully move into the

world.

An individuals determination to pursue a dream can inspire them to challenge societys expectations as

they transition into a new world. Daldry portray how barriers can prevent individuals to achieving their

dream. In the opening scene, the slow motion shot of Billy jumping up and down on the bed with a close

up shot of his ebullient face reveals his natural talent for dancing. This is accompanied by the lyrics I

danced myself out of the womb. However, his lower-class status is revealed through high-angle shot in

the strike scene the miners, which included his father and brother. Daldry suggests that Billys poverty acts

as a barrier for his desire to dance. This is reinforced in the scene of his father giving him 50 pence despite

having no income. This tension between the classes is conveyed in Tonys anger towards Mrs Wilkinson

you come ere again, Ill smack you one you middle class cow which reinforces the vicious cycle of

poverty and violence. This is contrasted to Billys tarantella-like outburst as he sits on the toilet where the

close-up of his feet tapping as he vents his frustration through dancing and not violence. This is continued

by him knocking down the door to symbolize him overcoming his barriers. This is accompanied with a

fast-paced uplifting instruments soundtrack. His confidence extends as Billy dances defiantly in front of his

father to showcase his talent. In the final scene, final freeze shot of his leap into the air as Billy performs as

a Swan Lake Player indicates his triumph as he has successfully moved into the world of dance.

Similarly, the novella The Alchemist explores how obstacles initially prohibit an individual from entering a

new world of exploration and can provide a change in perspective. Through function of narrative, Paulo

Cohelo presents the protagonist, an Audalusian Shepherd who embarks on a quest to seek his Personal

Legend, ones destiny in life. His desire to move into a new world is portrayed in the truncated sentences,

he didnt want to become a priest. He wanted to travel to show that his decision is simple and clear. This

is reinforced through high modality, then Ill be a shepherd! to indicate his decision which will enable him

to travel. While attempting to transition into a new world, he adopts an initial cynical attitude in Im

going to be bitter and distrustful because one person betrayed me. Yet through a melodramatic

emphatic triplet mightly deadly lethal cobra, Cohelo reinforces how dire external setbacks can facilitate

an inner transformation. Subsequently, the protagonist learns to listen avidly to his heart with endearing

diction to demonstrate a renewed outlook. This hopeful sentiment portrays that moving into the world

involves having a wide range of experience.

Conversely, the film portrays how social conventions in a community can restrict individuals from

transitioning into the world. The prejudice in the dialogue, you are a disgrace to those boxing glove and

the tradition of this boxing gym emphasises the strict gender expectations in the small mining

community. The mis-en-scene of the balance beam when Billy looks inquisitively at the girls are dancing

symbolises the intangible division between him and his aspirations due to the norms attached to notions

of masculinity. Daldry argues that to enter a new world, Billy must take risks, shown as he decides to learn

ballet under Mrs Wilkinson despite awareness of the social implications. The social conventions of his

community are also affected Billys perception of the norm which is portrayed through his remark, I feel

like a wuss! Despite this, his determination is shown by the close-up panning shot from ballet shoes to his

boxing shoes and portrays the transitioning between worlds. The piano player, Mr Braithwaites comment,

you look like a right wanker to me, son conveys the caustic perspectives towards Billys deviation. Mr

Braithwaite is a representation of the myopic perception of the small mining community. However Billys

decision to continue dancing despite the consequences is shown in the long shot of Billy shoving the

ballet slippers into his bag. Billys friend Michael is a representation of defying social norms and assists

Billy in entering a new world. This is portrayed in the medium shot of Michael cross-dressing and close up

shot of him applying lipstick on Billy, which helps to create a blur between male and female roles in their

community. This symbolises Billys barriers dissolving and portrays him defying social norms and moving

into the world of dance.

Cohelo extends the concept presented by other composers that transitioning into a world of nature

embodies ambivalent encounters. Prior to moving into a new world, the protagonist is jealous of the

freedom of the wind depicting his insensitivity of nature. However these experiences are the means by

which Santiago learns the importance of loyalty and endurance in the face of adversity. It is this

transitioning process which motivates him to realise his Personal Legend and to learn all he needed to

know and experience everything he dreamed of. The omnipresent adjective of all and everything

demonstrates the extent to which the outcomes of the expedition can impose on the individual. Upon

returning, an affiliation and appreciation of nature is inherent through a collage of visual imagery in

purple heath-flowers and smooth clear blue skies. Cohelo concludes the novel with the recurring motif

of the wind which now drifts the scent of a perfume, presenting a juxtaposition to the beginning. This

allows Cohelo to depict Santiagos successful transitioning into the world of nature.

Individuals may face prejudice when transitioning into the world if they defy social norms. However, with

the determination to succeed, they will overcome these obstacles. Both texts successfully portray the

consequences of moving into the world and how passion can allow individuals to overcome obstacles.