Essay On Australian Identity
Is it the bush, kangaroos and the red sand? Or is the scorching sun, beach and sunscreen? These images are often used to describe Australia but what about the Australian identity? Throughout the various stages of Australian history, Australians have attempted to grab onto an identity that makes them unique and able to bond with another fellow Australian. This has not always been easy, given the diversity that has grown over the centuries and the definition of the true Australian identity has changed over time. The typical Australian is known to be "fair, laid back, democratic and having a dry and anti–authoritarian sense of humour. These descriptions are often identified with Australians who are born in this country, however there is more...show more content...
Australia has become a multicultural society and our identity has shifted from what it was in the past. Australians are getting used to a diverse number of cultures around them and most people have included aspects from different cultures or religions into their daily lives. We join in events like Chinese New Year, go to Italian Festivals, we enjoy eating kebabs and sushi and get invited to friend's ceremonies that take place in different places of worship. We help celebrate milestones and dance to music that we may not always understand but we accept that any differences are just a part of who that other person is and it is our job to accept these things. This is evident in we can be heroes, when Ja'mie sponsors kids from Africa and even becomes good friends with one of them. Ja'ime sponsoring African kids is a sign of her ability to accept those who are different to her. However Ja'mie is just one example out of the millions of ordinary Australians. Thus our ability to accept those who are different, as well as our ability to tolerate things that we don't want for ourselves but know to be important to someone else, is what truly defines an Australian and not the fact that they are born
Australian Identity Essay
There is a range of langauge varieties that exist in contemporary Australian society and all contribute to a shared national identity. Undeniably, there is also an accompanying range of attitudes towards them. Discuss.
In order to separate ourselves from Britain and America, Australians actively maintain an identity and a culture that holds values like 'mateship,' 'relaxedness,' and 'egalitarianism,' and this is predominantly maintained through the Broad Australian accent. Australians have their own variety of suffixations and shortenings, giving 'mates' nicknames like 'Stevo,' and possessing our own venerated and idiosyncratic lexicon, which some refer to as 'dingo lingo.' While this aspect of Austrlian culture is only accepted on the right...show more content...
Aboriginal English due to its non–standard nature and the formation of sentences, many Australians dub those who speak this creole as being 'uneducated,' and view the language in a negative light. Aboriginal Australians have an distinctive way of speaking, the articles 'an' and 'a' are often omitted, and base forms of verbs are often used in any context, rather than 'I painted the wall' it would become, 'I paint the wall,' and along with its own morphological differences, such as 'brudda' for 'brother' and a lexicon entirely separate from the standard many reject Aboriginal English entirely. Australia has only adopted nouns from Aboriginal languages, place names and other minor aspects of Aboriginal culture, things that add to the nations outward quirkiness, giving Aboriginal langauges and culture a tokenistic quality in the eyes of non–indigenous Australia. Thus, while these variants of Australian English act as another nod toward a notion of multiculturalism that Austrlia endorses as something it actively practices, its rejection in certain circles is also indicative of the racism
Australian Identity
The poem I Was the Son of an Englishman by Komninos from the contemporary era actively and effectively portrays the changing nature of Australian culture and society, as it illustrates the diversity in the new Australian identity. After the Second World War, Australia changed in many ways and the new settlers began to make significant contributions to the Australian culture and identity. Poets from the contemporary era began to reflect modern Australia, as the rise of multiculturalism started to contribute to our new ideas, attitudes, values and beliefs about Australian identity. Komninos' language can be seen in stanza three where it says "if I was the son of an Englishman, i'd really be true blue...i could desecrate the countryside, and destroy...show more content...
Komninos uses imagery to encapsulate the idea of the new attitudes and values of modern Australia, highlighting the lack of value Australian's have for the land. Imagery is used specifically in lines 5–6 where it says "I could desecrate the countryside and destroy the kangaroo." In the pioneering era, it was a traditional value to have immense love for the land. However, due to the rise of multiculturalism and the rapidly changing nature of the new Australian culture, Australians have lost love for their land and have even gone to the extent of glorifying and encouraging others to treat sacred land with immense disrespect. Komninos language emphasises the change in Australia. He deliberately uses Australian slang like "true blue" to challenge the reader what it means to be an Australian. Komninos deliberately did not capitalise at the beginning of any of his lines to emphasise to the readers how unaccepted he is as an Australian since he is originally from
Australia And The Australian Identity
There are many diverse interpretations of the words "Australian Identity". The national anthem, as evidenced in Stand Up, is a primarily white interpretation of Australia and the Australian identity, with many of the lines ignoring the Indigenous people of Australia (Perkins et al, 2012). Another form of the "Australian Identity" was one presented by Prime Minister Paul Keating in his Redfern Address in 1992. He proclaimed that "Australia is a first–rate social democracy...truly the land of the fair go and the better chance". This idea presented represents an egalitarian society, where every single human has an equal opportunity at life. Yet another, shown in the songs Paul Kelly sang, but especially in "this land is mine" is the difference between the identity of Indigenous Australians and non–Indigenous Australians (Kelly et al, 2001). Each of these texts addressed a major issue. Stand Up compared the relative value of tradition and the right to freedom of expression. Keating's speech expressed the need for justice and recognition of both the stolen generation and the injustices done to the Indigenous people as a whole. Kelly's songs represent the importance of the land to Indigenous people and why the "returning of the land" is so important. Although they each mentioned a major issue, the texts all gave solutions to these issues, from reiterating the importance of the basic human right of freedom of speech in Stand Up, to explaining the role and qualities of the Aboriginal
Australian Identity Analysis
The authors assessment and opinion on the australian identity is that we lie about every part of our identity and it needs to change. I agree strongly with this opinion and the australian identity must be modified. The author shows us this when he uses certain techniques such as humour and rhetorical questions. Richard glover has used humour to portray his thoughts and opinions by using humour to convey his thoughts. One example of this is when he writes, "if we ever want a national slogan, it should be;this isn't going to end well" this use of humour shows the reader that this is a serious problem and something should be done. Another key way the author has chosen to show his true opinion is through rhetorical questions for example. " this
Identity: The Meaning Of The Australian Identity
The Australian Identity, it's so vague and widespread in its meaning that even Australians themselves cannot give a definitive definition of the term. There are still a few generalised terms related to Australians: laid back, accepting, swimmers, beach goers and barbeque fanatics. Some may include the terms "multicultural" and "equal rights" are all expressions associated with Australia; but is this true?
Australia's Senate and House of Representatives recently rejected bills to accept homosexual marriage in Australia. Labor MP Stephen Jones and Labor Senator Trish Crossin have both put forward a bill to gain marriage equality with both bills failing to pass through to the governor general (House of Representatives – 98–42, and
Senate House
Constructing Australian Identity
The poem is proven to construct an impression of Australian identity by expressing the values, voice and poetic devices. The values help us relate to Australian identity by telling u us that Australia is full of important values such as masculinity, loyalty, the bush. All of these values are backed up with the poetic devices that help describe the values using imagery, rhyme and other techniques. Voice also helped the reader understand the poem better between the adventures and relationship between the horse and the
Australian Identity Essay
Australian Identity
Mateship. Adventurous. Loyal. Free. Proud. These are the typical words Australians use to describe themselves, to identify themselves as different from the rest of the world. But who is an Australian? Someone that was born in Australia? Only people we choose to call Australian? People with great achievements that we choose to take credit for? Only people that love sport and vegemite? Or maybe only people with 'Aussie' accents? The Australian population is a proud one indeed, proud of their nation, their achievements and their own independent way of life, but sometimes us Aussies, forget about the rest of the world and all those other people that make us, who we are.
The poem, Australia by Ania Walwicz, is told...show more content...
In this particular poem we understand through the persona's tone, that they do not like Australia or the people and are therefore making a judgement of, and being of a negative opinion towards, the nation. The text begins with "You big ugly." This is instantly causing proud Australians to take offence towards the poem, we know it is about Australia because of the title. The poem continues with lines such as "you bore me. Freckle silly children... you nothing much... you're ugly... you copy...you big awful..." all against Australia.
The poems by Komninos and Langley also use tone to relay the persona's attitude. In Komninos' poem, the persona, who happens to be the poet, is fed up of being treated differently by Australians because of his heritage and is using the poem to "assert" himself "as an Australian... as an artist." In Langley's poem, the Australian persona relays a positive view of Australia, representing Australians as compassionate, educated and respectful whilst relaying an unfavourable opinion of immigrants, portraying them as self–absorbed and "god–like" in an unnatural, unfitting sense. Tone is helped to represent Australian identity by the use of a persona and the use of language in the text.
Having a persona in a poem, allows the writer to relay what they want to say through a characters actions or thoughts. The use of a persona is quite strong in each of the three texts. In Australia the persona,
Identity Of Australians
The identity of Australians from foreigner or outsider perspective is based on perceptions, stereotypes, hearsay, and experiences different people have had while visiting or staying in Australia for work or school. Identity is closely linked to cultural and social aspects of society, where certain beliefs, values, and behaviours, are subscribed to by the said community or society. A sense of belonging to people, to individuals, families, communities, and nations is provided by identity. Australia is a multicultural society that is made up of about 260 languages and over 270 ancestries, even though urban Australia is fluid in its social composition. There have been controversies on immigration particularly about the widely diverse cultures and
Making an accurate representation of Australian identity will forever be a difficult task with the vast range of lifestyles its people live. However, this concept is challenged and has developed into an obsession. (ConvictCreations, 2000) This is because of the many age groups, class divisions, differences in location and cultural diversity. Since the introduction of television, producers have made humorous and witty shows, interpreting and critiquing the Australian Identity. This critique is referred to as 'satire' and is made apparent mostly in television shows such as Chris Lilley's 2005, hit mockumentary series, We Can be Heroes. The internationally acclaimed show satirises the 'faults' in Australian identity while also providing humorous entertainment. In the short, six episode series, a variety of satirised elements are unmistakable. Characters have been developed to represent the many levels of class division in our society. Enhancing the definition of such classes is the differences in use of language and knowledge between the characters – an effective tool to categorise the differences in our society.
The characters featuring in We Can be Heroes have been carefully constructed and utilise humour to deliver an impression of the complex concept of class division in Australia. From the first episode, class division becomes apparent as three separate storylines are introduced. Pat and Terry Mullins are a lower middle class couple living in the outer suburbs. They
Australian Identity Essay
In his interviews1, David Malouf points out that his own interest lies in what he calls the 'matter of Australia', and in each of his novels there can be seen an investigation of a diverse range of experiences supposed to have been fundamental in the construction of what Australians are today. This effort to encompass the Australian cultural identity and experience responds to an urge that is basically nationalistic in nature. It is indeed, the much obsessed desire in Australia regarding the question of national identity and the necessity to distance itself from England and to affirm cultural independence, as distinct from England. So not surprisingly in Malouf's novels we find a distinctive effort of nation building, probably not historically but culturally and literarily.
According to Richard White, while it is natural for most new nations to go through the process of inventing a national identity, for Australia...show more content...
After the landing of the First Fleet in Australia in 1788 and the establishment of the penal colony the image of Australia underwent a lot of change over time. Between the years 1830 and 1850 the image of Australia was changed to a more complimentary one. A favourable depiction of the native born currency lads, who seemed not to have inherited their father's sins led to the image of Australia as a land of opportunity for the ex–convicts and England's surplus population. During this time there was a major tussle between the impulse to be distinctively Australian and the lingering sense of British heritage in creating the Australian cultural identity. But they were also seen as part of a new group of transplanted, predominantly Anglo Saxon emigrant societies, with the likes of USA and Canada. Many felt that just as America had seperated from Britain, Australia would also follow suit. This is often regarded as the context from where an incipient Australian Cultural Nationalism
Australian Identity
Australia is a young, modern country made up of a diverse and multicultural population, therefore, it's difficult to say that it has a single national identity. This essay will examine what Australia's identity may look like, specifically, through art.
Australia has only been here for little over 200 years whereas other countries have a lot of history with solid identities. Australian art is an important factor that helps to create its identity because its artists are passionate about the unique aspects and symbols of Australia and they incorporate them into their works to really show what they think Australia is.
Australian Impressionism is a good place to start to reflect on the early influences in Australian art. In the late 19th and...show more content...
Ned Kelly is considered to be a folk hero and is remembered as one of Australia's most significant people because he stood up to corrupt police officers, unfair laws and biased government. Kelly is immortalized in Sidney Nolan's 'Ned Kelly' collection of 27 paintings that re–count his daring exploits with the law. Nolan was sympathetic to this story as he, himself, was a fugitive from the law and, using various Australian landscape scenes as a backdrop, transcended his own conflict onto the canvas to make the series a success. Sidney Nolan, Glenrowan, 1946 Sidney Nolan, Ned Kelly, 1946
The land has a lot to do with Australia, the way that its identity may have developed might be through its isolation and our slow understanding and respect for it. Landscape pieces by other artists at this time depict the land in a much different light than Nolan. Lawson's 'The Drover's Wife' has a woman dressed in dull clothing, standing alone, highlighting her isolation in the Australian outback. Whereas Preston's abstract landscape 'Flying Over The Shoalhaven River' depicts the land to be an inviting and welcoming place. Henry Lawson, The Drover's Wife, 1945 Margaret Preston, Flying Over The Shoalhaven River,
Essay on Identity: Culture of Australia
Expository Essay
Prompt– The power to of the group is often the cause of losing our individual identity.
The question of identity is always a difficult one for those living in a culture or group, yet belonging to another. This difficulty frequently remains in the mind of most immigrants, especially the second generations who were born in a country other than their parents. Younger generations feel as if they are forced to change to fit the social standards despite previous culture or group. Furthermore those who wish to adopt a new identity of a group or culture haven't yet been fully accepted by original members due to their former identity.
Living with a different culture to our roots can lead to changes in our lives. Migrating to...show more content...
A major influence on Alice's identity was when she was a young child and her grandmother would tell her stories about events that occurred in Cambodia. In Alice's teenage years, her beloved grandmother has a stroke, developed disabilities and eventually had passed away. It is around this time where serious psychological problems occur for Alice. This almost forces her into a mental state in which she knows she does not fit in with the Australian culture. She believed she had to do everything she could to change that otherwise Alice knew she would break down mentally. Alice was forced to attempt to fit the social standards of Australia.
The actions of adopting a new identity by putting yourself into a different group can lead to not only the new group not fully accepting you but also your original group will see you as a totally different person. At the age of 13 I played basketball for the under 14s side. We were all very close and had formed great friendships throughout the season. The following season I was asked to play above my age group. Without thinking twice I accepted what I thought was a great opportunity. A few days pasted and it was the day of my first training session with the older group. Throughout the 2 hours of training I did not enjoy myself at all. No one would pass me the ball and it was as if they didn't want me there. To be honest I didn't want to be there neither. I decided to return to my own age
Australian National Identity
Identify and discuss the nature of national identity in Australia. How has/have national identify/ies been portrayed and maintained and which groups have been excluded?
The nature of Australian's national identity has been an ongoing debate for many years. It involves how Australians see themselves, and how other countries view Australia as a whole. Throughout the country's history, the national identity has not remained constant, and currently it is a debate to what Australian's true national identity is. As the original country to settle in Australia (excluding Aboriginals), British Culture has a strong influence in Australia. Australia was originally a colony of Britain, and therefore its national identity was very similar to...show more content...
As a young country, Australia feels like they have to prove themselves, and they reckon the best way for them to do that is on the competitive playing field(2). The nation's character and identity always seems to be on trial during international sporting events, and the nation prides themselves on international victory. Victories against England and the United States are especially sweet to Australians because of their relationship with these superpower countries. Matches against New Zealand are also of the utmost importance to Australians pride because of the proximity of their neighboring country. Issues of national identity are always at stake when Australia competes against these countries. Other than cricket, Australians pride themselves on many other sports. After the debacle of the 1976 summer Olympic games where Australia won no medals, the Australian Institute of Sport was created. This institute brought all sports back into the national limelight and reminded Australians how important sport was to their national identity. Other sports Australia prides themselves on are tennis, swimming, rugby, soccer, and their very own Australian Rules Football. This is a game that gives them a sense of national identity because they created it. Although it is based mainly in Victoria, it is very heavily followed in the region. People are mostly fans of one particular team (usually in
Essay On Australian Identity
Australia has always been centered around diversity and change, specifically with the vast multiculturalism and migrant culture throughout the nation. The specifics of Identity hold an important role in shaping our identity as students and as a nation. Australians pride themselves on being a land of the free and full of diverse culture. This is specifically referred to in our national Anthem; "For those who've come across the seas, We've boundless plains to share; With courage let us all combine,"(McCormick, 1984). Displaying Australia's open attitude towards immigrants and contributes to the diversity present within our society today. Even before this, much of Australia's Identity was associated with caucasian culture (Originating from British Settlers). Which is the dominant perception of Australia through the media with australian representation being present through the stereotypes of Bogans, which was made popular through shows like Kath and Kim (ABC, 2007). Also, represented through the popular depiction of Australian people – the bushman made popular by movies like Crocodile Dundee (Faiman, 1986) and through famous real life bushman; Steve Irwin. An important aspect of Australian identity which is consistently neglected is the culture and representation of the initial owners of the land; the aboriginal people. Throughout history the constant mistreatment and neglect of the indigenous, has lead to a massive gap in privilege between the aboriginal people and our
Australian Identity And Ideal
From a Tarzan– like, pun–making simpleton to a vigilante fighting for justice in the outback of a dystopian Australia, we really have it all when it comes to our vast selection of native films. Although quite diverse in plot, setting and characters they all broadcast the concept of Australian identity and ideals to the world. There are many concepts that reflect the typical Australian identity such as mateship, larrikinism and the Aussie battler and it is more important know than ever to celebrate what it means to be Australian.
One important aspect of Australian identity is the history and treatment of aboriginal people. The utilisation of indigenous education through film media allows an exclusive insight into areas of aboriginal culture
Essay On Australian Identity
The Australian Identity, it's to believe we have the freedom of rights, speech and the independency of a nation since 1901 when legalisation from Great Britain confirmed that the six Australian colonies were allow to govern in their own right as part as the Commonwealth. But what about women? Or as we were called 'Sheilas'. Not until 1924, all the states in Australia gave the authorities for women to vote which demonstrates a simple spotlight shine that Australia shows sexism towards women. The disrespect and disempowerment that Australian men show towards females illustrates the main identity of the Australian culture as it leads to the discrimination of our heritage.
You may remember using the old Australian currency as our everyday use...show more content...
However Australia did not just show strong sexism towards women in the history's pages as famous ships were feminine. Quoting form Australian Government Department of the Environment, the HMS Sirius was the very first ship in the first fleet and; "She was a vitally important ship to their struggle for survival in a new, isolated home and the only real means of contact with the outside world as she had led the fleet of eleven ships".
As well as famous ships having feminine titles, the identity of Australia in today's society has showed that sexism has quieted down a lot as more women are gaining rights and freedom. But unfortunately the Australian wage differs when comparing between the genders. A study was
A study was conducted in May 2012 by the Australian government that improvises the rates in a different variety of occupations. It significantly shows that no matter the occupation, hours or role women tend to gain much less than men. Quoting from Greg Jericho a writer from an Australian Current Affairs The Drum
Australia Cultural Identity
Sport events like the Olympic games provide the opportunity for host countries to show their identity to the rest of the world. This showing of identity is at the same time a construction of selfidentity.
It is a construction in a sense that the host country has to convey its most important ideas about itself to the world. In this limited period of time the host country has to draw upon experiences, historical events, and values which represent the country and the nation.1 In other words, it is a narration of the nation visible to the rest of the world. The ceremony tells a story that is supposed to represent a unified nation. At the same time, it is, as Jackie Hogan points out, an act
"of inclusion and exclusion".2 Thus, the ceremony itself...show more content...
The ceremony pictures stereotypes of immigrants with associated dresses and dances.10 Moreover, the presence of Aboriginal Australians is limited to the sequence 'Awakening'.
It almost seems that they are not seen as a part of modern Australia. According to Hogan, ideas of
"backward, exotic, and pre–modern" come to mind when compared to the developed and working white Australian.11 Thus, dividing Australia and its history into white–male dominated, premodern
Aboriginal past, and a period of immigration rather emphasises boundaries than unity. The ceremony seems to show contrast rather than togetherness. The attempt to create a united nation consisting of many different people result in the marginalisation of minorities and celebration of
"the dominant culture".12
In sum, the opening ceremony of the Olympic games in Sydney attempts the portrayal of a multicultural Australia, in harmony with its past, and welcoming of all cultures. However, the main focus on the history of white Australians and the constant presence of this white Australianness throughout the ceremony reflect existing power–relations and result in marginalisation of
The Question Of The Australian Identity Essay
The question of the Australian identity is a subject of a broad range of debates in the contemporary society. The subject is made complex by the existence of various myths, models, and stereotypes concerning the actual identity of the Australians. Specifically, it has been negatively caricatured using racial, hostile, and homophobic connotations in arts, politics, and reality programs among other aspects. Ideally, there is no "real" Australian identity but, a multicultural society built on shared values and experiences. Although there are several cultural stereotypes, myths, and models advanced to explain the nature of the Australian identity, just like other countries, these national myths may or may not have any resemblance to reality. In this project, the Australian identity is assessed from the myths of larrikins, mateship and same–sex marriage.
Australia has never had a definable national identity prescribed by institutions or politicians; rather, most of the identities are tied to folklores and models (Hogue 2005). For over 150 years during colonization, Australia was widely identified as a British nation. Additionally, the Australian residents did not have valid citizenship until 1948. Before that period, all people born within the country were regarded as British citizens and were expected to uphold their values. At one time, authors described the residents as anonymous, nothing–men, and featureless. However, Australia had always had underlying national identities
Australian National Identity
Australia's national identity was built upon the hard masculine foundations using the harsh nature of the bush to exemplify these character traits. For many Australians, the ANZAC troops were the crystallization of the new identity. Following the crystallisation of the new identity, Australians started creating the ideal Australian, making the ideal Australian the traditional ideas of Australian national identity. The ideal Australian was known to be white, working class, sporty, male who were fiercely independent, and practical. It is important that we don't go back to the traditional ideas of Australians national identity. (NEEDS TO BE FINISHED) "The Australian legend" by Russel Ward was first published in 1958 helps examine the predominantly