Both ‘Summer of the Seventeenth Doll’ by Ray Lawler and ‘The removalists’ by David Williamson have explored the different ways people cope when things change or go wrong. Both playwrights use the style of realism to portray themes which depict changing circumstances on the stage and show how different characters respond. Ray Lawler and David Williamson use the techniques of relevant idiom, staging, costume and symbolism, all conventions of realism, to explore the themes of stereotypes, the changing of traditions and violence. In the early 20th century Australia was searching for its national identity. Plays up until this point in time were traditional melodramatic English plays.
English speech Good morning/afternoon year 11 and Ms/Mr. Today I am going to talk about how the concept of experience through language is portrayed throughout my chosen texts. Bruce Dawe’s Americanized and Arthur Miller’s Death of a salesman are the texts I am going to elaborate on and explore the themes used to convey this idea. These themes include consumerism and the American dream. Consumerism in Australian society is a large concern that is explored throughout Bruce Dawes poems.
I am analysing Beneath Clouds within context to ‘Representing Australia’, and the key components relating to the text such as prejudice, racism and colonialism in Australia. In particular I will research the effects that colonialism has had on the new generation of Indigenous Australians . The text Beneath the Clouds; a journey of two teenagers in remote Australia, characters Lena and Vaughn are drawn together as their lives take the same path to Sydney. The debateable romantic relationship between the two is ambiguous, portraying an unspoken connection, with an approach toward aboriginal life, post colonialism, a colourful representation where I will also explore the effects of racism and prejudice from an adolescent standpoint. My research will focus on the
Rayment, H 1992, Australian Modernism: The Complexity and the Diversity, Malakoff Fine Art Press, Victoria. Sayers, A 2001, Australian Art, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, Australia. Shapcatt, T 1989, The Art of Charles Blackman, Andre Deutch Limited, London. Smith, B (1988)’Art in its social setting’, in Burgmann, V.& lee, J.(eds.) Constructing a Culture: A people’s History of Australia Since 1788 (pp.224-2400.
Australian plays explore the lives of people marginalised by social context and environment. Discuss this statement with reference to the staging of the characters and their environments. Throughout history, and most prominently in contemporary Australian theatre, plays and dramatic performances have been influenced by, or present societal issues. Australian theatre has transformed into a medium through which marginalised and outspoken people in society are given voice. Jenny Kemp’s impressionistic surrealist play, ‘Still Angela’, and Michael Futcher and Helen Howard’s moving play, ‘A Beautiful Life’, are both excellent examples of touching Australian plays which explore the lives of people marginalised by social context and environment.
Convicts arrived at this settlement in 1824. It was Matthew Flinders who first suggested the name Australia and was supported by governor Macquarie in 1819 – 1821. A meeting was held in 1899 and the premiers of the other colonies agreed to locate the new federal capital of Australia in New South Wales and added this section to the Australian constitution. In 1909 a portion of New South Wales was surrendered to become the commonwealth of Australia. The Australian Capital Territory was declared on the first of January 1911 and became a self governing territory in 1989.
Don’s Party takes us back to 1969 to the night of the Labor Party’s victory as John Gorton was announced the new Prime Minister of Australia. This 1976 ‘ocker’ comedy was adapted from the play of the same title and filmed in Sydney. Philip Adams and Bruce Beresford joined forces to put one of the most evocative plays onto the big screen. These ocker films were introduced in the early 1970s and riddled with “swearing and course language, drunkenness, an obsession with bodily functions, beery mateship and the accompanying derision of women, anti-intellectualism and a violation of custom and ethnic/religious beliefs” (Murray, 1994). Don’s Party includes all of these elements, placing it up there as one of the cult Australian films simply for representing Australian’s as they were.
Multiple times through out the book Johnny admits that he would like to die, and goes on to describe his frustrations about his lack of ability to do so. He feels pointless, worthless, and disgusting, but later in the book he is content on showing the world what war really is; to let every man who was ever drafted and will ever be drafted know what he is really getting in to.
The value of their lives was also changed by war. Their identities were lost. As a fellow soldier lies dying, the men around him are forced to care more about obtaining his good boots he won’t need than morn his lost life. In war time orderlies and doctors don’t have time to learn the dying men’s names, but are impatient for the bed that will open up after a death. Paul and the other young men eagerly signed up thinking war would be glorious “only to find [they] were to be trained for heroism as though [they] were circus ponies” (22).
Beneatha hates assimilationist because they show no pride or respect in for their heritage. Walter may act like a fool at times but he may have more pride than any of the Youngers. He shows that he proud of his family when he says; " We have decided to move into our house because my father-my father- he earned it for us brick by brick". Pg.148 This shows his pride because he is talking about how his father worked himself to death just to keep his family alive. The Youngers may lose hope at times but they will never lose their