Summary Of Why Were T We Told By Henry Reynolds

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. …show more content…
By examining the deliberate acts of representation within each composer’s textual form, responders gain a deeper appreciation of the power of language in shaping political aspirations. Although he presents information on the Indigenous Australian experience, he also evokes provides responders a deeper insight into his own personal subjective response. Reynolds begins his escapade as a silent observer with a skeptical outlook about the treatment and tapering of the Aboriginal past. This is highlighted through "a complex web of social relations, both bound by black and white yet have been held apart”. The paradox effectively challenges the cynical ideals that the typical Anglo-Saxon society is founded upon; Reynolds signifies his critical ability to synthesise sensitive concepts. Additionally, as the journey escalates the plethora of emotions towards the political propaganda surrounding the Aborigines, is an indicator of Reynolds passionate representation. His incredulous tone of the bewilderment and distrust in the political system evident in "what misuse of arbitrary power!” emphasises his passion and personal connotation towards the atrocities committed against the aboriginals. Reynolds ability to stronghold an argument through blatant facts represents him to be an open-minded and logical reasoned source. “The story of the Black War, the Black Line, the friendly mission", the accumulation of evidence persuades the audience to holistically understand the pretext of his argument as well as the rhetorical motif of "Why Weren't We Told?" The evidence a significant factor in displaying the arrangement of events behind aboriginal dispossession and their constant disregard. Henry Reynolds has been represented as a subjective, passion driven critical thinker who utilises language features to base his arguments with facts to challenge society with his knowledge on Aboriginal