Opening Worlds-Task 3

Compare the role of the statue and the oak in the lives of Bolan and Savushkin

Throughout the Red Ball and the Winter Oak, the social pariahs Bolan and Savushkin look up to the statue and the oak.For Bolan the statue in Woodford Square is like a haven.Similarly for Savushkin the Winter Oak is like an "old acquaintance".These two landmarks offer them some hope in their lonely lives.

Bolan is a "tunapuna boy from the sugar cane fields". He lives in a "long line of barracks" and is stricken with poverty. This poverty leads him to become a social outcast as there is a feeling that his parents regret having him in the first place.This is due to the financial problems they face and how they cannot save enough to live happily.

Similarly, Savushkin is a social outcast in his school. He is seen as a "difficult boy" by his teacher Anna Vasilevna and is laughed at by his fellow class mates.However the difference is that Savushkin doesn't realise this and sits in class "smiling, at his own thoughts, clearly not bothered.

However, out of the man made community of the school and into the nature of the forest, Savushklin feels at home. In the the forest he knows everything and is comfortable.The "huge and majestic" Winter Oak is like an old "acquaintance" and offers him a sense of belonging.He feels so happy in the forest and in the company of its " guardian" that it takes him an awfully long time to get to school which results in him being late.

The statue in Woodford square holds the same status to Bolan as the Winter Oak to Savushkin.Woodford square is like a haven to Bolan.A place where no-one
is "chasing him down".The "smiling" statues offer him some happiness and pleasure in the evenings before he has to face the tensions of family life.

In conclusion,the statue in Woodford square and the Winter Oak seem to be extremely important in the lives of Bolan and Savushkin. While not being accepted in society these landmarks offer them some hope,pleasure and happiness .While Bolan realises how vulnerable he is without the statue,Savushkin has a more casual relationship with The "magestic"Oak.