Sample response 6: The Motorcycle Diaries
Response by: Kerri-Jane Burke
The question
Discoveries often require individuals to reconsider their perspective
and develop a new understanding of the world around them. Examine
this statement in relation to your prescribed text and at least ONE
related text.
Prescribed Text: The Motorcycle Diaries, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, 2003
(nonfiction/memoir)
Related Text: Wide Open Road, The Triffids, 1986 (music video)
Introduction
opens with
thesis
statement,
directly linking
to question,
introduces texts
to be analysed,
states their
relevance to the
question
Adventuring is an effective means of reviewing our understanding of
the world. When we engage in different experiences, we uncover
aspects of our self that lead to emotional revelations. Ernesto ‘Che’
Guevara’s memoir The Motorcycle Diaries details his travels through
Latin America with friend Alberto Granado. A mix of informative and
idealistic revelations, Guevara challenges the reader to accept his
changing perspective of society through personal interactions. The
Triffids’ 1986 music video for Wide Open Road, written by David
McComb, shows the impact of a spontaneous reaction to a broken
relationship. Although the catalyst for these travels vary, both texts
explore the emotional discovery possible from new experiences.
Topic sentence
links to
question
A long distance journey provides many opportunities to participate in
exploits that challenge our established world view. The Motorcycle
Diaries is structured as 46 brief diary entries over nine months from
December 1951 with each chapter crafted as a discrete moment of
discovery. Guevara’s daughter, Aleida March, provides a preface to
suggest a positive opinion of the young man behind the adult
revolutionary by describing him as ‘increasingly sensitive’. By
acknowledging the original journal was ‘rewritten by Ernesto himself as
a narrative’ we are prepared for elements of bildungsroman shown
through the shift from subjective to objective language as the memoir
unfolds. The opening chapters directly challenge the reader’s knowledge
of Guevara and frame the discovery to follow in the translated titles ‘so
we understand each other’ and then acknowledges the ‘man he used to
be’ by clarifying how the adventure came about. His explanation of
notes as ‘mental photographs’ reinforces the careful crafting of his
personal perspective. Alerting us to his meditative writing style,
Guevara personifies the ocean as a ‘confidant’ that will never reveal
secrets. His effective imagery in ‘the discovery of the ocean’ personifies
the ‘moon silhouetted against the sea, smothering the waves with silver
reflections.’ Sibilance extends the sensuous nature of Alberto’s first
encounter with the sea, highlighting Guevara’s preference for engaging
us through figurative language revealing a contemplative tone.
Prescribed text
appears first
with discussion
of structure,
writing style
and genre
Analysis of
figurative
language with
relevant
evidence
Topic sentence
introduces
related text
through link to
Similarly, Wide Open Road sparks viewing interest and guides the
viewer’s discovery through strong images that affect the viewer
emotionally with the gradual layering of instruments as the band
emerges from misty clouds suggesting confusion. Darkening silhouettes
previous
paragraph
Textual analysis
links to thesis
through all
modes: film,
music and lyrics
Final sentence
links to thesis
argument
become substantial then fade into landscape as a wide shot reveals a
lone vehicle solidifying with the increasing musical beat. Like Guevara’s
The Motorcycle Diaries the journey becomes a process of discovery
with a strong emotional impact. McComb’s lyrics metaphorically
explore a visceral reaction as ‘drums rolled off in my forehead’ and
‘guns went off in my chest’ as he responds to a relationship’s surprise
ending. These opening lines are accompanied by a crisp drum beat and
low saturated colour, adding intensity with a close-up of McComb. The
singer further outlines his experience of ‘carrying the baby just for you’
symbolizing shared hopes and sacrifice as a car appears on a dusty road
coinciding with the line ‘crying in the wilderness’. Tracking shots and
fleeting images of trees and landscape suggest movement at speed as
the chorus repeats the title line ‘wide open road’. The wide shot of a
vast blue sky for ‘big and empty’ illustrates a sense of loss as the chorus
ends representing this road trip through the countryside as an
emotional escape, the discovery being an acceptance of what has
happened.
Topic sentence
connects to
previous
statement with
words ‘in
contrast’
In contrast, Guevara’s reason for embarking on his tour was primarily
exploration and entertainment. He shares his perspective and
geographical knowledge of the physical landscape through descriptive
passages that typically open a chapter, such as ‘the seven lakes road’.
The different size lakes are surrounded by alluring forest, with a
personified ‘scent of wilderness caressing’ their nostrils, yet this scenery
‘begins to grate’. Travelling at a ‘tranquil pace’ only allows a glimpse of
Evidence from
the text is given the surroundings at a ‘superficial level’ and limits the discovery of the
true essence of the terrain. In the Cuzco chapters Guevara suggests that
true understanding requires a stop of several days to successfully
Related text is
experience the spirituality of each site whereas McComb continues to
integrated into
the argument
drive through towns almost unseeing. Tracking shots of semi-suburban
industrial landscapes accompany the second chorus as we witness a
service station attendant shaking her head, arms folded, showing a
distinct lack of welcome so unlike Guevara’s encounters with the
‘hospitality’ of people he meets. We learn how McComb separated
himself from family and friends, acknowledging that he ‘cut them off as
limbs’ exploring the pain discovered from self-imposed isolation. The
song finishes with a plaintive flute and lyrics of intense loneliness ‘I
reach out to touch you, then I realise’. The word ‘realise ‘ is the clue to
Analysis links to the personal discovery that is made. Spinning aerial shots of eerie
landmarks and dusty urban spaces appear through clouds before the
self discovery
chorus repeats to a fading ‘It’s a wide open road’ suggesting that life is
full of opportunities after undergoing the challenge of self discovery.
Topic sentence
introduces
point of
difference
between texts
Where McComb distances himself from others, Guevara welcomes
interaction as a means of learning more about himself and the wider
world. There are detailed descriptions of action in the chapter titled
‘stowaways’ where we follow Guevara and Granado illegally boarding a
ship. Their identification with the ‘friendly’ workers is shown as the
harbourmaster is characterised as ‘nasty’ and ‘hostile’ hinting at a
subsequent socialist ideology. When caught by the captain, the travellers
admit they had not ‘thought through’ the consequences before agreeing
Focus on a
specific chapter
follows the
process of
discovery from
experiences to
realisation
to work for their passage. Their humble chores of potato peeling and
deck cleaning provide a glimpse into the realities of everyday life and
Guevara recounts their shared moments of reflection leaning ‘side by
side on the railing’ and looking out on the sea. Repetition of ‘vocation,
our true vocation’ provides a dawning realisation that both Guevara
and Granado will remain ‘always curious’ displaying the soul of true
adventurers.
Conclusion
opens with a
version of the
thesis and
briefly states
how the
question has
been answered
Experiences allow us to emotionally react to situations transforming
our outlook of the wider world. Whereas McComb travels alone as a
response to emotional pain, Guevara is able to reflect with his
companion and share a sense of camaraderie with others. Wide Open
Road captures an individual’s desperate flight in an attempt to make
sense of an internal landscape, while The Motorcycle Diaries
encourages a broad exploration of people and place. Whether travelling
through the Australian countryside or Latin America, both texts reveal
an emotional resilience in understanding humanity and our world.