The book "The Turning” written by Tim Winton, highlights the proposition that there are moments, people, places and times that can change who we are and how we see the world. These factors can create a turning, a term used throughout the stories to show an epiphany or change in a persons life and in the main characters life, Vic Lang. Winton uses these moments and the concept of change throughout the stories “Big World” and “On Her Knees”.
Titled “The Turning”, the book name clearly references the idea of change or epiphanies, which is evident through the characters lives. The first story of the book, “Big World” follows the lives of two young men, the Narrator and his best friend Biggie, leaving their hometown of Angelus, to go on a journey, and ironically it is a “Big World”. The story explores the idea of change of self and opinions in people, where moments can define a person’s perspective on life and others around them. This statement is true as the narrator comes to terms with his attachment with Biggie, “That’s how it started. A single decisive act of violence that joined me to Biggie forever.” This moment as the Narrator exclaims, is one that changed their lives forever, showing how single moments in life can change who a person is and who they perceive the world.
As their journey develops, the impression of people is important as the Narrator’s attitude changes. Biggie and the narrators relationship changes drastically as the introduction of Meg, “tall and not very beautiful with long; shiny brown hair and big knees”, begins to affect the relationship that the Narrator had built with Biggie. Throughout the story one can insinuate that the Narrator is in complete control of the relationship between himself and Biggie as he manipulates him, “I know Biggie loves this town and he’s committed to the shared vision but I white-ant him day after day until it starts to pay off”. As previousl...