Australian Identity Analysis

Improved Essays
Across the twentieth century historians have interpreted Australian national identity in a variety of ways, often promoting their own specific views. Here, I shall delineate and give a brief overview of how Australian national identity has been interpreted by some historians. Over the twentieth century, Australian national identity can, in general, be separated into three time periods. Firstly, during the pre-second world war period, national identity was overwhelmingly based on being British. Secondly, after this time, there emerged the idea of an Australian identity based on 'bush folklore ' as championed by the likes of Ward. However, many have criticised the ideas of such an identity as myth, arguing that the promoters of this view were …show more content…
This can be seen in the work of the influential historian Russel Ward, who wrote the book 'The Australian Legend ' which is considered by historians such as Davison to be a classic interpretation of Australian identity (DAVISON 2). Ward 's archetype of the national identity was the Australian bushman. That is, the 'rural proletariat ' who was often a shearer, drover, or pastoral worker. For Ward, the Australian bushman was “a practical man, rough and ready in his manners” and was someone who was deeply loyal to his friends. Furthermore, the bushman was egalitarian and anti-authoritarian (DAVISON 2-3). For historians such as Ward, national identity is to be found in the songs, legends, and folkways of the working class, especially those who lived the most basic lives, far removed from the urban population (DAVISON …show more content…
However, it has been asserted that Ward only accepted bush ballads as authentic so long as they expressed a narrative which fit with his notion of national identity (DAVISON 19). Historians have criticised Ward 's portrayal of the Australian bushman as a myth, and subsequently it is suggested that this effort to create a new identity was due to the increasing influence of communism in academia in the 1940s. In trying to create a new national identity, the likes of Ward created a myth out of an interpretation that sprang from the blend of left-wing ideology and bush folklore (DAVISON 3)(WIMBORNE

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    the poetry bruce dawe reflects on the ideas and values regarding Australian identity. the attention he has is to make the reader aware of the lifestyle, values and beliefs of the normal suburban Australian, with luckly the help of two of his poems life cycles and the homecoming along with the assistance of Rob Sitch’s movie the castle. All three of them refer to the Australian identity also in diffrent ways.with numerous diffrent lines in the ballad Life cycles Bruce Dawe has presents Australian character is reflected by the way that a normal rural Australian has a solid dependence on a scope of games especially AFL football because of it being perceived as a culture religion and a piece of life for them and it started when they were conceived.…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Australia, which consists of a 92% white population clearly mirrors the nations ideals. The origins of Australian national identity can be found in the shared traits of its inhabitants. The late nineteenth-century Australian population was largely embodied by emigrants mainly originating from the Britain, or of British descent, the majority of the populace sharing a common language, history, and customs. Aggregated identification as British defined the nations identity of a country settled, engaged and lead by lineage of the British monarch furthering the social norm of white Australia. Shared heritage provided common ground to develop national identity and values.…

    • 861 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The changing foreign policy and alliances during World War 2 (1939-1945) saw Australia begin to shift its dependence from Britain to the United States of America (USA), due to threatening attacks from Japan, consequently impacting Australia’s participation in the war and the shaping of the nation’s policies and identity. As the Axis forces continued to advance with Japan at the forefront, threat toward Australia grew and the country questioned their connection with their ‘Mother Country’. Australia had to look elsewhere for protection, thus involving the USA, and forming a new alliance. This led to Australia both becoming a more independent country and significantly shaped the foreign policy and country’s national identity.…

    • 1135 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Askew Perspective After many years of improvement of Australia’s global stereotypes, it seems like we still remain a drunken mob in the mind of the media’s representations of Australian people. By Zac Eliasaf A s we’ve been told so often in television and movies, we Australians are all about drinking. That includes you too.…

    • 739 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Barry Morris within this book explores the postcolonial period of 1970s – 1990s as Indigenous Australians struggle for equality, recognition and autonomy as citizens of Australia. Morris illustrates this period as an era of socio-economic and political change informed by neoliberal policies. Morris defines neoliberalism as an ideology that is “conspicuous for its belligerent free market approach to economic development and demands for trade liberalisation, privatisation of state industries, and deregulation of markets and wages” (p.3). Morris states that this ideology gave rise to an environment filled with racial tensions as colonial issues such as dispossession and assimilation were substituted with ‘progressive’ discourses. Morris aims to…

    • 993 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Purple Threads Analysis

    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages

    English Analytical Essay FINAL Renowned for their inseparable relationship to their land, few people grasp the concept of Indigenous Australian peoples’ inextricable ‘connection’ with the Country. Opposing perspectives regarding the Australian Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) relationship to Country are offered by the author of Purple Threads, Jeanine Leane and Gary Crew, author of Strange Objects. Crew’s representation through the perspective of Wouter Loos’ journal and Steven Messenger includes deliberate literary devices such as characterisation, figurative language and sentence structure in order to describe the lack of ‘connection’ to the land that non-indigenous people have. Leane has utilised similar literary devices to depict a rich and…

    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The exclusion of Indigenous people from the nations constitution took place in the early nineteenth century. Henry Parkes the premier of the colony of New South Wales called for all six Australian colonies to unite and create a great national government for ALL of Australia. Parkes initiated a constitution based on common racial and British custom on which this nation was supposedly founded. Throughout her speech “Indigenous Exceptionalism and the Constitutional ‘Race Power’ Marcia Langton argues that any idea of race and the ability of the parliament to use race in law making should be removed from the Australian constitution. The detailed history of legislation applied to Indigenous peoples demonstrates this is many ways; Indigenous people…

    • 1170 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In 1967, after ten years of campaigning, a referendum was held to change the Australian Constitution. Two negative references to Aboriginal Australians were removed, giving the Commonwealth the power to legislate for them as a group. This change was seen by many as a recognition of Aboriginal people as full Australian citizens. The referendum campaign effectively focused public attention on the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were second class citizens with all sorts of limitations - legislative and social - on their lives.…

    • 131 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Aboriginalities essay “How have settler constructions of aboriginal people affected aboriginal peoples?” The settler voice towards aboriginal peoples, has ingrained constructs i.e. stereotypes, into society. These stereotypes have inflicted harm and severely affected aboriginal people throughout history and to this day, but in what ways and through which medians do these coloniser interpretations express themselves in society? And what are the responses of the aboriginal peoples who are concerned?…

    • 1026 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    We pride ourselves in being the country that offers a fair go for all, the country that was built upon egalitarianism, opportunity and the hope of a better life, the country of mateship where multiculturalism and diversity is embraced. These values act as the cornerstones of the Australian identity as we know it, and placed Australia on the map for the rest of the world to see. However the mantra of acceptance does not hold true for all. Whether born in Australia with foreign heritage or recently migrated, some members of society still struggle to feel fully integrated within our community. Robbed of their own identity and the chance to contribute to Australia’s.…

    • 1151 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Anzac Day

    • 419 Words
    • 2 Pages

    My essay will be about nation-building in Australia. I have chosen the holiday Anzac Day and the infamous outlaw Ned Kelly. Both of these symbols seek to emphasize the Australian identity of toughness, and unity but have been catered to specific purposes. In this, essay I attempt to discover how these symbols became so central to Australia, and how historically accurate they are. Anzac Day has become essentially Australian Day.…

    • 419 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The advancements in the development of technology, entertainment and culture is very significant within the history and future of the Australian society because of American and British influence. As a result of Australia’s already strong relationship with the United States of America (USA) and Britain before and after World War Two the impact on everyday Australians was immense. Prior to 1945 many Australians would class themselves as part of a British colony and under British authority. This resulted in many themes of Australian culture to be influenced by Britain including: sports; foods; fashion; entertainment and music; behaviour and individual attitude about society. Post- WWII the Australian society developed unique characteristics…

    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Euphemism In Australia

    • 1377 Words
    • 6 Pages

    CRITICALLY ANALYSE THE NOTION THAT AUSTRALIA IS AN EGALITARIAN SOCIETY WITH REFERENCE TO RACISM AND ETHNICITY Australia’s essence is ethnically diverse. A provocative euphemism would support Australia as an egalitarian society and to say otherwise would be concealing the truth. By critically analyzing sociological theories together with implemented public policies and societal worldviews towards racism and ethnicity, this essay analyses Australia’s social fabric and competing historical perspectives of racial and ethnic diversity and discernment.…

    • 1377 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Henry Reynolds’s non-fiction novel ‘Why weren't we told’ is a social justice essay and personal journal communicating his personal response to the injustice towards Indigenous Australians. Reynolds’ choice of language, medium and textual form influence how his perspective is received and shape the meaning of the text. Reynolds’ presents his political perspective and purpose in his monograph as he argues for the reconciliation of Indigenous and white Australians to advocate the progress of native title. He challenges responders to reevaluate their own perspective of Australia's past through the use of two competing political views. The memoir structure enables Reynolds to create an intimate appeal to the audience by drawing upon personal anecdotes.…

    • 811 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Kevin Parlato Global Context William Strutt Painting “Black Thursday” Australia has a unique but dark past when it comes to its colonial history. Remnants of this past still linger as significant problems for the modern era.…

    • 1185 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays