Discovery represents an evolution of knowledge which is reshaped by the accumulation of new experiences. This evokes emotions of joy, nervousness or anger, forcing us to reassess the value of previous perspectives. Robert Gray’s poem, “The Meatworks”, and Tim Winton’s novel, “The Riders,” explore the view that discovery is a process, with the protagonists reflecting on the moral conflict that has developed from events in their lives, compelling them to reassess their needs and desires.

Perspectives are often challenged over time, as a result of a better understanding of surroundings, causing re-evaluation of our circumstances. The persona in “The Meatworks” experiences conflict between his love for nature and his workplace, the abattoir, which causes a re-evaluation of his personal morals. To reconcile his passion for nature, he “settles for one of the lowest-paid jobs.” A brutal, one-dimensional version of manliness is revealed in the animalistic imagery evoked from “gnawed it hysterically,” …show more content…
This conflict can only be overcome by compartmentalising his life, signified in “I’d scoop up shell-grit and scrub my hands.” The soothing sibilance emphasises nature’s redeeming influence on the dehumanising effects of working at the abattoir, representing his attempt to metaphorically wash the blood off his hands and memory,

a process which can only be achieved over time, hence he goes to the beach for solace everyday. This is echoed the analogy at the end of the poem, where Gray has deliberately suppressed the persona’s emotional and intellectual response at the time of the experience, only expressing them once the difficulties have been acknowledged over time. It is through this reflection that the responder realises that experiences cannot be elided, only learn