Books that made us
ideaswithanne.com https://www.abc.net.au/education/digibooks/books-that-made-us/101733054
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/171053.Books_That_Made_Us
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AI view of black arm band novels
Several Australian historical novels adopt a “black armband” view of history, critically examining the impact of British colonization on Indigenous Australians and acknowledging the darker aspects of Australia’s past. Novels like Kate Grenville’s The Secret River and works by Alexis Wright, such as Carpentaria, are prime examples. These novels often focus on themes of dispossession, violence, and cultural loss, offering a counter-narrative to more celebratory accounts of Australian history.
Here’s a more detailed look at some of the key novels and authors:
- Kate Grenville’s The Secret River: This novel, based on historical events, tells the story of a convict transported to Australia who becomes involved in the dispossession of Aboriginal people. It confronts the brutal realities of early colonial settlement and the violence inflicted on Indigenous populations.
- Alexis Wright’s Carpentaria: This novel, set in the Gulf Country of Queensland, explores the complexities of Indigenous identity, the impact of resource extraction, and the ongoing struggle for land rights.
- Other notable works: While The Secret River and Carpentaria are particularly prominent examples, other novels also contribute to this narrative. Novels by authors like Sally Morgan (e.g., My Place) and writers exploring the Stolen Generations, such as those mentioned in a UTS ePress article, contribute to a more critical perspective on Australian history.
The “black armband” view, a term coined by Geoffrey Blainey, is not just about a specific historical narrative but also about a particular way of approaching history that acknowledges the negative consequences of colonization and celebrates a more inclusive and critical understanding of Australia’s past. These novels, through their fictionalized accounts, contribute to this ongoing conversation about how Australia remembers and confronts its history.
Ai suggestions of some white sleeve view of Australian history
- We of the Never-Never by Jeannie Gunn:This classic novel offers a romanticized account of life on a remote cattle station in the Northern Territory at the beginning of the 20th century, focusing on the experiences of the author and her husband as they navigate the challenges of the Australian outback. While it depicts some interactions with Indigenous Australians, it does so from a perspective of white superiority and paternalism.
- The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough:A sweeping saga of family and romance set against the backdrop of the Australian bush, this novel, while popular and widely read, often presents a romanticized and sometimes stereotypical view of rural life, with limited engagement with Indigenous Australian experiences.
- A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute:This novel follows the story of a young woman who survives a brutal Japanese prisoner-of-war camp and later returns to Australia, establishing a new life and community. While it touches on themes of resilience and survival, it primarily focuses on the experiences of the European protagonist and her fellow settlers.
- The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman:This novel tells the story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who find an abandoned baby and raise it as their own. While the novel explores themes of love, loss, and morality, it largely centers on the perspectives and experiences of the European couple, with limited exploration of the impact of their actions on the Indigenous community.
- The Secret River by Kate Grenville:While Grenville’s novel grapples with the complexities of colonial history and the brutal treatment of Indigenous Australians, it is still largely told from the perspective of the white convict protagonist, William Thornhill. The novel has been praised for its exploration of colonialism, but it also has been critiqued for its limitations in fully representing the Indigenous perspective.
Dreamtime Stories Australian
https://japingkaaboriginalart.com/aboriginal-dreamtime-stories/
Why Are Dreamtime Stories Important in Aboriginal Culture?
Dreamtime is a word that has been in language use for just over 120 years. In the English language it is now well embedded and well understood to represent something about beliefs in Aboriginal culture.
Perhaps it is an inadequate word because it tries to address a complex system of ideas that varies between different Aboriginal communities, and is very hard to express in an English word.
To some extent the idea of Spirit in Country along with the Laws that go with that Country, and the connections with the people who are born into that Country, are all reflected in the concept of Dreamtime. It may be that over the decades we have come to use it most commonly to mean the Creation stories from Aboriginal Australia. However it remains a term that we reach for when we see the powerful essence expressed in some of the significant Aboriginal paintings that we view in museums and art galleries.
It is a deeply complex term that carries a deep meaning for Aboriginal people, and this needs to be duly recognised in the wider Australian community.
The Dreamtime is a term that describes unique stories and beliefs owned and held by different Australian Aboriginal groups. The history of the Dreamtime word and its meanings says something about the development of the ideas held about the Aboriginal world, and how they are expressed through art.
Jukurrpa is one traditional term used by several groups of Central Desert languages to describe what could possibly be seen as the religion and the Laws of the people, and in some ways a description of Reality.
In that sense, traditional Aboriginal people believe that the world was created by Ancestor Beings. The spirit of the Ancestor Beings remains in the country, in the animals and the places and the people of that country as an ongoing presence.
AI Gemini response to modern opinions of Charles Manning Clark’s History of Australia
Modern opinions on Manning Clark’s A History of Australia are mixed, with both strong praise and sharp criticism. While lauded for its literary style and contribution to shaping a national identity, it has been criticized for historical inaccuracies, subjective interpretations, and neglecting marginalized groups like Aboriginal people and women.
Here’s a more detailed look at the perspectives:
Praise:
- Impact on Australian Identity:Clark’s work is widely acknowledged for helping Australians develop a sense of national identity by exploring the nation’s past through a compelling narrative.
- Literary Merit:Many admire the poetic and engaging style of his writing, which elevated Australian history to the level of literature.
- Influence on Subsequent Historians:A History of Australia inspired many subsequent historians and shaped the field of Australian history, even if some disagreed with his approach.
Criticism:
- Historical Inaccuracies:Critics point to factual errors and inaccuracies in Clark’s account, particularly in later volumes.
- Subjectivity and Interpretation:Clark’s strong personal interpretations and use of narrative, myth, and philosophy are seen by some as detracting from the objectivity of history.
- Exclusion of Marginalized Groups:A major criticism is Clark’s limited focus on Aboriginal Australians and women, which reflects the historical biases of his time but is now seen as problematic.
- Lack of Social and Economic History:Some critics argue that Clark’s focus on individuals and political events neglected the broader social and economic context of Australian history.
- “History Wars”:Clark’s work became a focal point in the “History Wars,” a debate about how Australian history should be written and interpreted, with some historians arguing he overemphasized certain narratives.
In Conclusion:
Manning Clark’s A History of Australia remains a significant work, but its legacy is complex and contested. While it undeniably shaped Australian historical consciousness and is celebrated for its literary quality, it has also faced substantial criticism for historical inaccuracies, subjective interpretations, and its limited scope.
Manning Clark, Carl Bridge – Melbourne University Publishing
Manning Clark’s work provokes violent reactions for and against. His majestic six-volume A History of Australia ‘helped us to know who we are’. Yet attacks on C…
Melbourne University Publishing
On reading Mark McKenna’s biography of Manning Clark – Inside Story
25 Aug 2011 — Though Clark regretted the factual errors in his History, they alone don’t vitiate his broader intent, which was to write a history that would live a…
Inside Story
