The Journey, not the Arrival Matters

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Recommended: The role of imagination in literature

The Journey, not the Arrival Matters

Journey is a multilayered process which is inevitable in ones

lifetime. Whilst journeys can be inner or physical it is our

imagination that enables us to escape into new worlds and visualise

new possibilities. These imaginative journeys occur in the realm of

the mind where fantasy is created and reality is considered. The human

capacity to dream and transcend actual existence often opens amazing

possibilities. It is through imagination, speculation and inspiration

that the exploration of new worlds, possibilities and human potential

is achieved. In their own ways imaginative journeys often have a

connection with our lives and the practical world. In some cases

journeys are even used as parallels to reality and to comment on

social and human traits. However in all texts, one element prevails;

that is that the journey is of greater significance than the arrival.

It is those journeys that transcend reality, inspire an intellectual

quest, challenge previously held conceptions and comment on society

that are explored in texts such as Melvyn Bragg's On Giant's Shoulders,

The Jaguar by Ted Hughes, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Journeys

Over Land and Sea from the Smithsonian Libraries Exhibition. In all of

these texts, emphasis is placed on the process of the journey rather

than the arrival. In some cases there is no defined point of arrival,

rather just a quest to challenge the conceptions previously held and

the discovery of new possibilities.

On Giants' Shoulders is a radio transcript that explores the journey

of science. It demonstrates the way in which scientists were inspired

by the work o...

... middle of paper ...

...ive

journey. This allows the responder to expand the boundaries of their

imagination. Consequently, each of these texts points to the power of

the imagination as a pathway to knowledge and the achievement of

goals, it is clear that the journey itself is of greater significance

than the arrival.

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[1] On Giants' Shoulders - page 278

[2] On Giants' Shoulders - page 278

[3] On Giants' Shoulders - page 279

[4] On Giants' Shoulders - page 281

[5] On Giants' Shoulders - page 5

[6] On Giants' Shoulders - page 6

[7] On Giants' Shoulders - page 13

[8] On Giants' Shoulders - page 37

[9] On Giants' Shoulders - page 36

[10] On Giants' Shoulders - page 298

[11] Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - Volume One Chapter V; Page 57

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