The author of the bildungsroman novel, ‘Looking for Alibrandi,’ explores three generations of strong Italian Alibrandi women, forging a new life in Australia. The inextricable link between Katia and Christina results from overcoming adversity, ultimately playing pivotal role models for Josie. Katia Alibrandi overcame the challenge of a loveless marriage and Christina being a single mother. Josie’s strong role models enable her to grow and become emancipated as she originally felt estranged from her Italian and Australian culture. Viewing this novel through a feminist lens provides an insight into the tenacity and fortitude displayed by the three main protagonists, Katia, Christina and Josie.
Katia, a stubborn and judgemental, albeit protective …show more content…
Josie’s illegitimate status proved many difficulties as she felt ostracised by her peers in higher socio-economic classes as the called her a ‘wog and an ‘outsider’ including Carly Bishop. Josie is faced with a comment from Carly regarding her ethnicity and being a ‘new Australian’, this makes Josie feel ‘pathetic’ and reminds her that she lives ‘in a small-minded world’ which enrages her. This division between classes is also evident through her relationship with John, who has the pressure to conform to his highly politicised …show more content…
Only through Michael Andretti making a reappearance in Josie’s life does she finds the self-confidence of belonging to not only her school but her culture. The two ironically find that they are similar in personality and develop “a great relationship” where they “respect” one another. Through developing a relationship with her father, she overcomes her uncertainty of being illegitimate and comes to a point in her life where she is accepting of her families’ past and matures in the process. Through the catalysts of meeting her father, the animosity with Carly Bishop, variances of family pressures with John Barton, Josie becomes a resilient woman emulating the traits of her matriarchal role models, Katia and Christina.
The text ‘Looking for Alibrandi’ portrays three incredibly strong female protagonists, Katia, Christina and Josie, and explores how they overcome extreme adversity though their lives. Many of the characters have to reconcile their family’s past with individual futures requiring strength and fortitude. Through the subplot of Katia’s past, Christina raising a child on her own, Josie is able to deal with cultural adversity.
Overall, it gives an insight how adversity can strengthen women, ultimately enabling them to become independent,
Katia, a stubborn and judgemental, albeit protective …show more content…
Josie’s illegitimate status proved many difficulties as she felt ostracised by her peers in higher socio-economic classes as the called her a ‘wog and an ‘outsider’ including Carly Bishop. Josie is faced with a comment from Carly regarding her ethnicity and being a ‘new Australian’, this makes Josie feel ‘pathetic’ and reminds her that she lives ‘in a small-minded world’ which enrages her. This division between classes is also evident through her relationship with John, who has the pressure to conform to his highly politicised …show more content…
Only through Michael Andretti making a reappearance in Josie’s life does she finds the self-confidence of belonging to not only her school but her culture. The two ironically find that they are similar in personality and develop “a great relationship” where they “respect” one another. Through developing a relationship with her father, she overcomes her uncertainty of being illegitimate and comes to a point in her life where she is accepting of her families’ past and matures in the process. Through the catalysts of meeting her father, the animosity with Carly Bishop, variances of family pressures with John Barton, Josie becomes a resilient woman emulating the traits of her matriarchal role models, Katia and Christina.
The text ‘Looking for Alibrandi’ portrays three incredibly strong female protagonists, Katia, Christina and Josie, and explores how they overcome extreme adversity though their lives. Many of the characters have to reconcile their family’s past with individual futures requiring strength and fortitude. Through the subplot of Katia’s past, Christina raising a child on her own, Josie is able to deal with cultural adversity.
Overall, it gives an insight how adversity can strengthen women, ultimately enabling them to become independent,