Understanding Grief in ‘Ransom’ and ‘The Queen’
Despite the distinctive contexts and settings of David Malouf’s Ransom and Stephen Frears’ The Queen, the notion of grief and its exploration is heavily delved into within both texts. As Malouf presents us with the image of Hector’s lifeless body being dragged through the sediment, we are reminded of how difficult it can be to overcome grief. Indeed, due to past habits, overcoming one’s grief is heavily restricted and difficult. In addition, both texts indulge in how grief can be overcome by connecting with others, with nature, and with oneself. Furthermore, both the director and the author advocate that through overcoming grief, one is able to unlock a wealth of benefits.
The Obstacle of Past Habits in Overcoming Grief
Both literary works infer that due to past habits, overcoming grief can be perceived as a major obstacle. Malouf conveys and challenges this through the characterization of Achilles, who is portrayed as an individual who lacks the expression of emotions. However, this is questioned upon the death of his “soulmate,” Patroclus. Enraged by the death of his “soulmate,” “he had silently, never permitting himself to betray what others think.” Malouf introduces Achilles as a “warrior” who “had always ever known violence and war.” Malouf depicts that Achilles’ perspective of his own character dealing with grief can be difficult to overcome, as demonstrated by the ransom of Hector’s “lifeless body, engraved through the dirt.” Malouf endorses that the loss of an individual can vary the way grief is harnessed, regarding how one has lived their life and resorting to past habits as an alternative to overcome grief.
Similarly, Frears appeals to the notion that despite one’s social status and the value of convention, overcoming grief is still difficult. Frears demonstrates, through the characterization of The Queen and her conventional identity, the overarching discrepancy and significance that the loss of an individual can have, leading to an awkward response indicating the difficulty of overcoming grief. Portrayed through the medium shot of the Queen facing her back towards her husband upon the addressing of Diana’s death on live television, signifying her incompetence to interact with the topic, portraying her personal difficulty to overcome and interact with grief. This is further emphasized by the Queen’s awkward response, as portrayed by her peeking at her grandchildren through the keyhole while they were grieving over their loss. Hence, Frears symbolizes her inability to interact with grief. Frears endorses that overcoming grief can be difficult, and that individuals express grief differently. Ultimately, both Frears and Malouf convey that due to past habits and views of identity and convention, overcoming and expressing grief can differ per individual.
Finding Solace Through Connection
Both literary works infer that despite grief being an immense emotion, it can be overcome by connecting with others, as well as with nature and oneself. The notion of connecting with others and nature is characterized and introduced through the interactions between Achilles and Priam, in which the appeal to human emotion and empathy is delved into. Regarding this, Malouf illustrates that the shared interaction between Achilles and Priam highlights the shared experience of grief that transcends the barrier of war and enmity. Through their interaction, both figures find solace as “a father,” leading to a sense of connection, enabling pain to be eased. Hence, Malouf is conveying that by coming to terms with one another on a personal, emotional level, one is able to encompass perfect amity despite past differences.