Tim Winton Neighbours

Authors often employ narrative convention within Australian fictions to provide insights and ideas about the Australian identity. Within the short stories, “Neighbours”, written in 2000 by Tim Winton, and “Growing Up”, written in 1985 by Anthony Hill, implemented narrative conventions to produce ideas and critique of the Australian identity. “Neighbours” highlights an Australian young couple within the 1980’s who resided to a culturally diverse neighbourhood and faces ethnocentric pressures, but eventually, the couple united with their neighbours, metaphorically destroying their cultural barriers. “Growing Up” provides a perspective of an Aboriginal man who reminiscence the segregation, discrimination, and the ruination of childhood innocence and friendships due to racism during the 1950’s Australia. “Neighbours” strengthens the idea of egalitarianism, cultural diversity and tolerance which portrays Australia as a

Winton used characterisation and figurative language to present these aspects of Australia’s identity. In contrast, “Growing Up” exhibits attitudes of anti-egalitarianism, lack of multiculturalism and intolerance; thus, Hill’s short story provides an antithesis and ultimately critiques on Australia’s segregated culture. In comparison of the two texts, Winton perceives Australia as a cultural progressive nation and totally transitioned from its xenophobic attitudes, however, Hill argues that the Australian identity lacks progression from the nation’s segregated, ethnocentric culture.

Australia’s identity towards egalitarianism has indisputably progressed as equitability becomes the forefront of our diversified society. Indeed, “Neighbours” promotes the idea of egalitarianism and equality within Australia’s identity, however, “Growing Up” exhibits Australia’s anti-egalitarian values and inequality, especially towards minorities – such as indigenous Australians. Within the orientation of “Neighbours”, the