Representing Australia

Introduction

Australians have spent over a century debating their national identity and still no consensus has been reached. National identity is more or less a function of people’s assessment of themselves; it is influenced by the cultural, political and economic influences of the time – and is often a romantic, exaggerated and often narcissist thought about oneself.

This essay aims to study the various representations of being Australian. The study will cover an array of films, texts and commentaries that will bring out the essence of Australian national identity and will endeavour to trace the relation between the identities in context of the times they were perceived in.

Historical Background

The earliest perceptions of national identity were that of a ‘bushman’. The bushman image was perceived to be one of a practical and inventive spirit, well mannered, industrious if need be, leisurely, often swearing, gambling, drinking and ever helpful to mates. However this image strictly represented the Anglo working class male. The identity then, totally discounted representing the females or even the very natives of the land – the Aborigines.

 Racial discrimination and total assimilation of an ethnic group (believed to be of an inferior status from that of the white settlers) were the ideas then. The ‘Immigration restriction act’ and ‘The White Australia’ policy were among the many tools to convey the idea of the superiority of the white settlers and this reflected in the many films and texts of that era.

 Consider the era of 1950s and 1970s; Aboriginal exclusion was promoted in cultural mediums such as movies, where members of the ethnic group were often portrayed as victims, alcoholics, fringes and slum dwellers.

In the movie Jedda (1955), the central characters of Jedda and Marbuk are ultimately destroyed in the end. Marbuk being the ‘paramour’ who seduces Jedda; and it is for the ‘moral weakness’ in Jedda and his race that he must be eliminated. Jedda is made to represent the story of a race which is destined to be eliminated due to its presumed ‘inherent weaknesses’ or failings.

The negative or pessimist view attached to the Aboriginal group in cultural representations of the time was deeply set in the policy making and attitude of the government as well as powerful citizens (whites) of that time. The idea was to promote total assimilation of the members of the ethnic group or the total elimination of the aboriginal culture since the white man’s western thought was held to be superior.

A similar thought is portrayed in the movie Walkabout (1971). The aboriginal boy in the movie commits suicide – this is perceived as a natural ending; since the aboriginal culture was presumed as a ‘dying one’ and the boy being representative of the culture had to suffer a related fate. The boy is portrayed as a ‘fragile’ being that is unable to cope up with the ‘outside’ world. Ironically the outside world in question is the aboriginal homeland itself (now under the reins of the white settlers).

In the movie Walkabout, the Aboriginal culture is portrayed through stark landscapes, which are natural and uncomplicated. These settings are presented as the boy’s homeland and his skills and knowledge in the landscape was representative of the aboriginal way of life. However, such a representation was perceived by urban audiences as too simple and remote from their ‘civilised’ white lifestyle. Thus exclusion of Aborigines from national identity was easily promoted signifying the white way of life and its superiority; the result of expectations, from an audience which was not interested in witnessing the triumph of an indigenous culture (Aboriginal) over a non-indigenous (White settlers) one.

Current scenario

As can be deduced from the previous section, Australian society has gone through a lot of hardships in a short space of time to evolve into its current ‘refined’ state. Over the period of the last century, the Australian land has seen human right violations, cultural conflicts and rapid economic growth among other parameters, which have shaped the society to its current form and operational level. This dynamism in Australian society over the years has required (and has almost determined) a need for a national identity to help citizens retain their uniqueness from the outside world as well as to help them find a common ground to relate with a fellow Australian in an ever changing national setting. In this section we discuss the parameters determining the representations of ‘being Australian’ in the modern context.

1.       Physical Appearance and Image Gone are the days when the typical Australian to the world meant an athletic, easy going, slow talking, blonde Aussie, tanned by the sun due to his adventures on the surf, beach or the outdoors. As with any developed nation, Australia too has undergone technological and economic development; which has obviously influenced choices in terms of food and leisure for the average Australian. Change in dietary habits with preference to junk food has increased the case of obesity in a large part of the population. Similarly leisure habits such as video games or internet surfing have also influenced the general health and well being of a once athletic Australian. Also, the economic development has come at a cost of being hard working and industrious. This in term has cut away a chunk of the leisure time that one used to have in the older days.

It is to be noted that, Australia in the recent times, is a cultural melting pot; with a variety of international cultures living side by side in shared neighbourhoods. The Australian society currently harbours cultures such as that of Middle East, India, South East Asia and its own native Aboriginal population among others. Therefore, the modern Australian may not be the Anglo blonde guy but could be a mongoloid or a native of Middle East. A true physical representation of an Australian in the modern context would be a multi cultural mix.

2.       Opportunism as a trait is deep rooted in the Australian identity. To determine the true national identity it would be wrong to consider the native culture or the post colonial colonies of convicts and free settlers, in isolation. The Australian society has gone through transition from one type to another in a short period. However, a common trait among all these phases was the spirit of opportunism and seeking out; and this remains true even today.

The free settlers came to Australia to seek a better life from that offered in Britain; The bushrangers that came in during the Gold rush – rebelled against authority and lived a life of crime; then came the European settlers to avoid the perils of war and poverty in Europe; and even the millions of refugees and immigrants that make it to this nation on boats (even to this day) in search of a better life, hold on to the central idea of opportunity and that of finding something better in this land. The ‘Australian’ over the ages has been a kind that believes in facing challenges and takes risks to work towards making things better.

3.       Mateship as a quality came to the forefront during the wars, observed in the unusual and deep bonding between soldiers. It has since been observed during various calamities faced by the nation. Australians have always come forward in adversities and have showed unusual heroism in the face of danger, helping one another. The Black Saturday bushfires and Queensland floods hold testimony to the mateship quality of the Australian citizens, when they came forward to help a fellow in tough times.

However the mateship is not strictly restricted to heroism but, is also seen in the humor and easy going nature of the average Australian who easily gels with another Australian, presenting the qualities of tolerance and acceptance towards all.

4.       Acceptance One of the core philosophies of being an Australian is that of acceptance. The cultural scenario of the land is changing rapidly. What was once a landscape harbouring the Aborigines and the White settlers, is fast becoming a cultural melting pot encompassing cultures as diverse as the Chinese, Malays, Indians and Middle Eastern among others. An average Australian today, attends Indian food fests, Diwali gatherings, Celebrates Chinese new year, or even attends Islamic weddings. We at times dance to tunes we don’t understand and respect traditions we don’t understand but comply because they are important to someone else (from a different cultural/ethnic background). These qualities of acceptance and mutual respect have shaped the dynamics of the society of a modern Australia. Hence, it would not be wrong to conclude that acceptance has stood to be a chief characteristic of being an Australian.

Conclusion

In this essay we have studied the various factors that have determined the representations of being an Australian. The Australian society has shaped from that consisting of Native Aborigines to White Settlers to finally becoming a cultural melting pot. This change has taken place in a short span of time resulting in alteration of national identity through phases in this period.

The present day Australian identity has evolved from the need of maintaining harmony in a culturally diverse society hence, the need was felt to do away with the old representation of an identity that majorly related to the Anglo bushman and establish a more accommodating, all including image of the modern Australian, in order to establish a progressive and egalitarian society, and restoring the status quo.     

References

1.       The Australian Legend. Russell Ward. 1958 (reprint 2003)

2.       Movie Jedda. Director and Producer: Charles Chauvel, Screenplay: Charles Chauvel and Elsa Chauvel, 1955.

3.       Walkabout. Director: Nicholas Roeg, Producer: Si Litvinoff, Screenplay: Edward Bond, Based on the novel by James Vance Marshall, 1971.  

4.       Malcolm Collier, ‘Approaches to Analysis in Visual Anthropology’ in T. Van Leeuwen & C. Jewitt (eds.) Handbook of Visual Analysis (London: Sage Publications, 2002).

5.       Ian Bryson, Bringing to Light: A History of Ethnographic Filmmaking at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press, 2000) 99.

Assignment Brief:

Subject: Representing Australia 

Words: 1500

Date hand to customer: 11/02/2013

Assignment Style: Research Essay

Requirements:

 - analyse a range of representations of Being Australian, and the debates associated with these 

representations

- discuss at least three texts (two should be literary or film texts)

- work with the critical, theoretical and historical ideas about being Australian developed during the 

unit. This involves discussing scholarly articles on representations of Australia.

You must include a bibliography of the critical, theoretical and historical sources consulted across 

the trimester. (It is important to start developing this bibliography from your first assignment

onwards).

You may incorporate passages of your own creative writing into the discussion of the topic.

Don't forget to append a copy of your four online postings.

References: 

At least 5 references in Harvard Style

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