The Australian Identity---Heritage and Expression
November 15th 2006 04:05
From the birth of this great nation in 1788 to the end of the Second World War, Australian men and woman forged enduring images of identity. Having tamed the frontier the bushmen rode from the dust of the Outback, the ANZAC climbed from the blood-stained sands of Gallipoli, and after WWII, a way-of-life was growing out in the suburbs.
Naturally this period witnessed the birth and growth of Australian literature, many classic works of ballad, verse, and prose that captured a particular Australian essence, like Wentworth's 1829 poem 'Australasia' for example. Through the eyes of the bard the reader is given a snapshot of colonial Sydney Town, the descriptive verse leaving an indelible impression of hope and wonder; pioneers in a new land. This series will examine images and constructions of Australian-ness like the aforementioned, contained in a number of other well known historical texts. First, defining their position in history, and second, examining dominant themes and influences, literary hallmarks that stamp the work as distinctly Australian, the creation of an image, icon, or identity.
The earliest works of literary expression in Australia were the Broadside Ballads and convict ballads and poems. Songs and verse of simple structure, depicting sea voyages, destinations ie. Botany Bay, imprisonment, hardship, and longing for home. Unlike Wentworth, who was an educated poet, the authors, or in most cases, oral bards due to lack of writing implements and paper, would sing the ballads to lift morale. Hence, anti-authoritarian themes run strong throughout, as does the impression of incredible brutality and hardship, a reality of colonial Australia. Of the more educated, Francis McNamara (alias Goddard), wrote the 'Convict's Tour of Hell' a parody of convict life as lived: hell on earth.
The convict period of Australian history is not one overly celebrated or finds its way into talk over the dinner table, understandably. Yet the anti-authoritarian themes lived on as convicts served their time and became bushmen, squatters, swagmen, selectors, bushrangers, and gold field workers.
Next Post: Bushrangers and gold field ballads.
PW
Naturally this period witnessed the birth and growth of Australian literature, many classic works of ballad, verse, and prose that captured a particular Australian essence, like Wentworth's 1829 poem 'Australasia' for example. Through the eyes of the bard the reader is given a snapshot of colonial Sydney Town, the descriptive verse leaving an indelible impression of hope and wonder; pioneers in a new land. This series will examine images and constructions of Australian-ness like the aforementioned, contained in a number of other well known historical texts. First, defining their position in history, and second, examining dominant themes and influences, literary hallmarks that stamp the work as distinctly Australian, the creation of an image, icon, or identity.
Next Post: Bushrangers and gold field ballads.
PW
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