Throughout “Away” many characters go through changes, Gwen
changes from a nagging housewife into a sympathetic and more balanced
individual. Roy goes from being very insecure about life to knowing how to deal
with his problems and live life as it comes. Coral, is also very insecure about
life after the death of her son, she is longing for attention and doesn’t know
how to be around people. By the end of the play she is at least trying to be
social and be around people. At the beginning of the play Gwen is a nagging
housewife. She is always right, well she thinks she is anyway. She changes into
a more sympathetic and balanced individual. Vic has showed her to put love, not
possessions and status, first. She was obsessed with orderliness and comfort
because of her deprived childhood. This has ruined her relationships with her
husband and Daughter. Towards the end of the play Gwen hears of Tom’s illness
(Leukemia) this turns her towards more humane and fitting values. Gwen at the
Beginning: Act 2 Scene 2 “Well do you think they’ll pack themselves?”
“Do you think holidays happen on their own?” to Gwen at the end: Act 4 Scene
1 “What do you think of me? You must hate me? Why do you still bother?” Roy
goes from being in complete denial as he lost his son in the Vietnam War to
being a little more caring and understanding toward others. He doesn’t talk to
his wife Coral very much except to patronize her and give her lectures about
“snapping out of it” his insensitivity extends Coral Grief period beyond
what it need be. He threatens her with Electro-compulsive therapy (a physical
horror to follow her mental one.) This forces Coral into total isolation and to
run away. By the end of the play Roy is seeking for forgiveness, as well as love
and reconciliation from Coral. (When he kisses her hands.) Roy at the Beginning:
Act1 Scene 3 “ I thought I told you to stay in the car!” to Roy at the end:
Act 3 Scene 3 “ Coral? Sweetheart? Come back to the party.” Coral was deep
in grief at the beginning of the play, her worldview was distorted by the pain
she can not escape. Her husband Roy is of little help, so she turned to others
in hope of their willingness to help. The substitute son Rick and to some extent
Tom. The play “The stranger on the shore” helps express her predicament and
the taking of belief in life that she has found. In the end she is finally
reunited with Roy and this changes her life. She begins to over her grief and
live life as it comes. Coral at the start: Act 2 Scene 3 “I don’t ignore
anyone.” To Coral at the end: Act 3 Scene 3 “ I like to talk.” Everyone
goes through changes thoughout their lives some are noticeable and some are not
so noticeable. Some changes are drastic and some are only minor. You can never
know when someone will change it just happens. We all change at different stages
of our lives.