In “Away,” several characters undergo transformations. Gwen evolves from a nagging housewife to a more compassionate and well-rounded individual. Roy transitions from being insecure about life to becoming adept at handling his problems and embracing the present moment. Coral, similarly plagued by insecurity after her son’s death, yearns for attention and struggles with social interactions.
By the conclusion of the play, Gwen makes an effort to engage socially and be in the company of others. Initially, she portrays herself as a nagging housewife who constantly believes she is right. However, she undergoes a transformation and becomes a more compassionate and well-rounded person. Vic teaches her the importance of prioritizing love rather than material possessions and social standing. This shift occurs as a result of her difficult upbringing, which caused her to develop an obsession with maintaining order and seeking comfort.
This has destroyed her relationships with both her husband and daughter. Towards the end of the play, Gwen learns about Tom’s illness (Leukemia), which prompts her to adopt more compassionate and appropriate values. In the beginning, Gwen says in Act 2 Scene 2, “Do you believe they will pack themselves? Do you think holidays happen on their own?” Towards the end, Gwen asks in Act 4 Scene 1, “What do you think of me? You must hate me? Why do you still bother?” Roy transitions from being in complete denial after losing his son in the Vietnam War to becoming slightly more caring and understanding towards others. He hardly communicates with his wife Coral, except to condescend to her and lecture her about “snapping out of it.” His insensitivity prolongs Coral’s period of grief unnecessarily. He even threatens her with Electro-compulsive therapy, a physical horror that follows her mental anguish. This compels Coral to isolate herself completely and run away.
By the end of the play, Roy seeks forgiveness, love, and reconciliation from Coral by gently kissing her hands. This is a contrast to his attitude at the beginning, in Act 1 Scene 3, when he harshly tells her to stay in the car. In Act 3 Scene 3, Roy addresses Coral with affection, calling her “Coral? Sweetheart? Come back to the party.” At the start of the play, Coral is overwhelmed by grief and trapped in her distorted view of the world. Her husband, Roy, offers little support, so she turns to others, especially the substitute son Rick and to some extent Tom, hoping they will help her through her pain.
The play “The Stranger on the Shore” represents her predicament and the loss of belief in life that she has experienced. Eventually, she is reunited with Roy, which alters her life. She begins to overcome her grief and live life spontaneously. Coral, in the beginning, states in Act 2 Scene 3 “I don’t ignore anyone.” At the end, in Act 3 Scene 3, she says “I like to talk.” Changes occur in everyone’s life, whether noticeable or not. Some changes are significant while others are minor. The timing of when someone changes is unpredictable; it just happens.
We each undergo transformations during various phases of our lives.
