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1. Discoveries offer new understandings and renewed perceptions of ourselves and our surroundings. They may be provocative and confronting. Composer Miroslav Holub’s text “The Door” effectively communicates the idea of taking risks in order to discover new ideas, along with the notion of accepting change and potential opportunities. Throughout the text, Holub urges individuals to go on a journey to discover the world. He presents the idea of how individuals may be afraid of the unknown, thus the door symbolises the idea of impossibilities as the door acts as a barrier to new discoveries. As this idea is evident throughout the poem, Holub allows the audience a different perspective of the potential discoveries that may occur. Discoveries may be confronting, such as the simple “eye” or sudden, like the “magic city”, they may offer a new perspective on life, “a picture of a picture”. These quotes all encompass change, that forces new perceptions of life. Even if these discoveries may be damaging, as evident “if there’s a fog”, Holub reassures the audience “it will clear”. Thus, this presents how discoveries offer individuals better understandings of themselves and the world, confronting or provocative.
2. Discoveries and self-discoveries have the ability to significantly impact the perspective of an individual and the world around them. This is evident as composer Holub urges individuals to change and explore the world and be confronted with discoveries, due to individuals struggling and fearing change. This can be linked to the character of Gwen, whose judgemental outlook results in her stubbornly refusing to “open the door” to other people or new experiences. In a sense, Gwen is the targeted audience of Holub’s poem, as she is too set in her ways to open herself up to new discoveries. Within the play, it is only through Tom that Gwen is forced to “open the door” and make an emotional discovery about those around her and in turn, finally see the dark truth about herself. This becomes apparent within the play when Gwen walks with Vic along the beach and swim of renewal realigns her perspective after discovering that her losses compare to naught with Vic’s son Tom about to pass away. On her return, Gwen asks her husband, “What must you think of me?”, through a concerned tone of voice. This shows how Gwen finally realises the truth about herself. As a result of this, Gwen discovers herself through a new lens. Throughout Holub’s poem, he reinforces that the door should be open even if what is on the other side is negative, as these can often be the catalyst of change. He states, “Even if there is only darkness ticking, even if there’s only hollow wind”. Holub utilises bleak language to express how the darkest of discoveries will often lead individuals into the light. For Gwen, her discovery revealed darkness about the lives of those around her and thus led to her seeing the darkness within herself. Both texts effectively present how discoveries may be confronting and provocative, however they may lead individuals to become more aware about the world around them.
3. Discoveries and rediscoveries may alter the views and perspectives of an individual about themselves and others that surround them. The title “The Door” metaphorically encompasses a significant meaning that expresses how doors are viewed as barriers that may restrict an individual in search of discoveries. The “Door” also conveys a significant message as they may be viewed as an entry for potential opportunities and changes. The poet succeeds in motivating the audience to take opportunities and chances through his persuasive and urging tone. The poem repeatedly states, “Go and open the door” portraying the necessity as well as conveying the urge of change. Holub also uses second person, the term “you’ll” is utilised in order to attract the audience’s attention by directly addressing them. In the first stanza of the poem, Holub uses imagey of place “a tree, or a wood” along with “a magic city”, portraying the idea of large possibilities. The repetition of the term “maybe” he further emphasises the idea of possibilities. However, within the second two stanzas, Holub expresses the dark side of these discoveries. “If there’s a fog”, using this metaphorical term, Holub reassures the audience “It will clear”. The term “Even if” further urges the audience to take action with their lives. Conclusively, Holub finalises the poem with “At least there’ll be a draught”, which encourages individuals to take risks because then at least there will be a change apparent, regardness of if its impact. Yhroughout the poem, Holub utilises a positive tone, forces the audience to view from an encouraging perspective. Hence, through the persuasive and optimising tone, the audience are urged to explore discoveries as they are reassured they will overcome obstacles and take risks.