Christmas tree
by diana_ielts7 on December 13, 2007
in students
The picture represents a tall tree, surrounded by bushes, with no leaves but lots of branches of different thickness. There are fifteen figures on it. The localization of the tree, time of the day or season remain unknown.
The figures are either alone or form groups. Some stay in a stable, relaxed position, others are endangered with the fall. Some stay passive, others perform an activity: climb a rope, carry another figure, or tied to a branch jump headlong down. There are no details regarding their sex, age or facial expression.
These figures in various positions, at different height, form a spatial metaphor. They may reflect, for instance, an attitude towards Christmas or associations of Christmas at particular points in time. Three colours symbolize the time axis – blue for the past, pink for present and green for future.
I borrowed the idea of the spatial metaphor from Penelope Williams of Pilgrims, and together with basia_t, added some extra complexity with colour-coded time references.
Last week ielts_7 group was given this image of a tree as a spatial metaphor for Christmas (but not the festive tree as such) and asked to comment on how their attitude to the event has changed over the years. Christmas, as we know it, has a lot to do with time and space since it’s such an accumulative experience, always to be looked back upon, regularly updated in the present, and something to look forward to. It was amazing to hear what students found in those figures swarming across the tree, and how much they helped them to come up with their own memories, generalisations and future visions, all illustrated with personal stories, family descriptions, wishes and anxieties.
Diana, initially quite reserved about the task, managed to use this flexible frame to the full and her post-activity comment here is the evidence of it.
This is a special Christmas tree with many figures in different positions and activities. There are three figures at the top of the tree. One of them is flipping, the second one is resting, lying down on the branch and keeping its hands under the head. Another one is starting to jump from the branch.
There is a couple which are kissing and hugging each other in the middle of the three. Two lateral figures show persons climbing up the rope and jumping down from the tree with the rope bound around its waist. One of the two figures nearest to the previous ones shows a person sitting on the branch, the other crawling upside down.
The lowest part of the tree is occupied by three figures, including two in groups. One shows a person jumping from the branch. Another one, on the left side of the tree, is a group of three persons – one of them is standing on the ground, the second one is on the tree. Both are helping the third person to climb up the tree. The last figure, on the right side, is two persons. One is holding the other on his arms.
Some of the figures remind me of certain parts of my life – the past, present and future. Those figures which show persons flipping, crawling and helping each other to climb up the tree evoke my childhood, when I was growing up with my brother and sister in a problemless atmosphere. Some figures with persons jumping, kissing or holding each other, metaphorically show present, my family living in love and happiness. Other figures represent my future, especially those where persons are lying down and resting, or for instance jumping, or climbing the rope. They express my need to feel free and happy in the future. Also these figures show that I would like to have plenty of time to do whatever I want to do, for instance travel, visit exotic places, try unusual things.
The tree can be a nice source of inspiration for personalized talking (no wonder it is used by psychologists), provided that we are able to see its richness and variety. I think it might be a bit trivial if we just interpret the figures as what they seem to symbolize at first glance, e.g. the pink figure is relaxed and carefree, or the couple in the middle are kissing, so they are in love. I think it could be much more meaningful if we went a bit deeper in our analysis. It is a spatial metaphor, so I think there is a lot more in the picture, than a simple positioning of a figure. A number of things matter: whether a figure is on the tree, or in the air or on the ground; whether it is alone or with others; whether it is higher or lower on the tree; whether it is touching something or not, etc. Even the positioning of each limb can matter. Also we can attach different meanings to the activities the figures are performing and associate them with different states of mind, feelings, emotions, etc.
Christmas throughout our lives does not change that much. All the traditions usually stay the same- Christmas tree, eve, presents etc. Its meaning has changed as we have got older.
When I was a child Christmas was the happiest day in whole year. I used to wait impatiently for the day. When you believe in Santa- Christmas has so much to do with magic. I have got a big family and we were always celebrating it together. I remember singing carrols, and recitations of poems in front of Santa. And obviously waiting for first star, longing for presents. I remember that I was greatly involved in preparations, I have done so many decorations. Actually I was preoccupied with Christmas.
The reason way I have chosen a couple in the middle to represent the past, is that it reminds me of love, enthusiasm and family time.
Today, Christmas for me, are disillusioned, without this wonderful magical meaning. I suppose its partly because there are no children in my closest family. Moreover I’m not engaged in preparations- i mean mostly decorations. I still like presents but my attitude towards them has modified. i really like giving, I’m waiting for Christmas Eve to see people opening them, how happy they are. To say more, I’m fed up with TV advertisements, Santa everywhere- commercial side of Christmas.
For my present attitude to Christmas I have chosen the figure that lies on the branch. I’m not taking an active part in preparations, and I’m not excited about Christmas.
What about future? I think I would try out an idea of spending the holidays somewhere far far away. Undoubtedly not alone, but departed from traditional celebrations at home, with family. Maybe such experience would teach me? Possibly I would find Christmas meaning.
Figure which I have chosen to stand for the future is the one on the top, standing on head. It’s completely different from the rest, it’s unconventional.