The Anzac spirit, or is it a legend, is something that is unique to Australians. We by far spend the most effort in keeping the spirit alive, but for what reason?
The legend of the Anzacs was born in the heart of Gallipoli, were many Australian soldiers show great feats of strength, bravery and comradeship during the campaign. The Anzac legend envisions the ideal Australian soldier. Specific stereotypes are set that include bravery, mateship, and recklessness for a good cause. Arthur Bourke OAM describes the Anzac legend as ‘a powerful driving sensation that can only be felt. It is a feeling that burns in the heart of every Australian and New Zealand countryman; A warm, tender, fiery, even melancholy ideal that nurtures intense patriotism in the innermost soul of everybody.’ …show more content…
First we must know what it is that makes us as a nation. The stereotype of the Anzac legend only encompasses a small population of enlisted soldier in world war one. The Australian New-Zealand Army Corps consists of soldiers that were in the front line trenches. Not only that, there were also Australian indigenous soldiers and the nurses and doctors that worked behind the scenes. The ideal soldier is seen as a country larrikin, when in fact a large majority of the soldiers were from urban areas. This greatly limits the uniqueness shown within the Anzac. This is one of areas where the Anzac legend is