Relationships are the way in which two or more people are connected. The relationships that we make in life are very easy to forge; however they are not so easy to maintain. In the relationships of Biggie and the protagonist in ‘Big World’ and that of Max and Raelene in’ The Turning’ both by Tim Winton, we see relationships forged, and then fall apart very rapidly. Between Biggie and the protagonist we see absolute loyalty resulting in the downfall of the relationship. In ‘The Turning’ a once loving and strong relationship becomes one of violence. Through idiom, simile, colloquial language and irony Winton expresses that relationships are easy to forge but not so easy to maintain.

Loyalty is one of the fundamental traits that are …show more content…

Violence is the expression of physical force against one or more people. It is an act that can destroy relationships and make them very hard to maintain. Violence is a key theme that is expressed in ‘The Turning’ between Raelene and Max. “Raelene hit the van so hard it felt as though her eyeballs would spurt from their sockets”. The simile expresses the shear force at which she hit the van showing the violent nature and raw strength that Max had over Raelene. This violent behaviour that happened at the end of the story clearly shows Max’s use of power of Raelene and the maintaining of this relationship was no longer existent.

Power balance is a very important factor that contributes to a successful relationship. If both persons involved in a relationship have equal power then it can be forged and kept. This is not present in ‘Big World’ between Biggie and the protagonists. “He’s enjoying being brighter than her… It’s me all over. It’s how I am with him and it’s not pretty”. Irony is used to great effect to show the balance is power change from the protagonists to Biggie. This shows the unequal power levels between the protagonist and Biggie and that he believes that he is more intelligent making him the more dominate in the relationship. The protagonist often talks about Biggie’s faults with women ironically the protagonists is with left alone like Biggie always was leaving him extremely jealous. The power balance in this relationship inevitably