The Castle Film Analysis

During World War 2 (1939 – 1945), Australia had a variety of impacts on both its government and its people. The war had a great effect on the place of indigenous people in Australia as indigenous men and women joined services throughout the country. The Aboriginal Australians, both the men and the women had contributed in the second Great War. Meanwhile, when the Aboriginals of Australia had jobs during World War 2, Australia’s economy boomed with the help of the war as many Australian troops had gone out to fight for the British. The economy had boomed during the period of the Second World War as Australian products could be produced as well.

Australian identity and what constitutes Australian culture are prominent ideas explored by Peter Goldsworthy’s Maestro. Throughout the novel, there is a strong sense of cynicism towards Australian culture as it is painted as ambiguous and indefinite. This is established through the analogy of Paul representing Australian society and his parents representing the British influence on Australian culture. Goldsworthy also explores the European influence on Australia through Kellar’s character. Goldsworthy’s broader message is that Australian identity is in fact quite complex and open to interpretation due how culturally diverse it is.

‘The Castle’ is all about a stereotypical Australian family- the Kerrigan’s- who represent a large majority of the Australian populous. The Kerrigan’s, along with other residents in the Coolaroo suburb, receive eviction notices due to infrastructure expansion on their doorstep. The story follows Daryl Kerrigan who takes his case the high court of Australia and shows the success of an underdog.

The start of the 20th century Australian history, was marked with blood, sweat and tears as the First World War raged forth. Yet, today the battles on the Western Front are remembered as an ‘ineffectual sideshow’ to those at Gallipoli which evoked devastation and captivated the Australian public. As stated by war correspondent, Charles Bean in 1919, “ANZAC achievements were never recognised by the Australians back at home, even though they were greatly appreciated by those closer to the war – the British, French and even the Germans.”(ii) However, the distorted image portrayed to the public of the Western Front contributed to the loss of recognition the battles have received today. Whilst the battles fought by the ANZAC troops at Gallipoli should be remembered, the great battles on the Western Front such as Fromelles and Pozieres should be

Aboriginal Australian peoples have been placed in unfair situations that have resulted in disconnections from society due to bias in culture, racism and because of previous historical events such as colonisation that led to colonialism and horrible events such as The Stolen Generation. These events act like a scar to the Aboriginal Australian peoples and their culture, those previously mentioned historical events symbolises the cut, the immense pain that was caused in that moment is still a factor and the pain from it is still prevalent and is symbolised by the scar. The scar also represents the factors that still manage to affect the Aboriginal Australians today, such as racism and lack of quality and access to education, money and health care.. The Indigenous peoples are also affected by various other factors such as limited access to health care that may be of poor quality, such resources may also bring fear to the Indigenous peoples because practitioners are not always sensitive or respectful to

‘Fly Away Peter’ is a novella written by David Malouf in 1982, set in 1914 in Queensland, Australia. Three very different people were brought together by their location, and share a love of birds and the natural environment, where the Queensland coast in 1914 is a timeless and idyllic world of sandpipers, ibises, and kingfishers. The two young men, Jim Sandler and Ashley Crowther enlist in the army when the Australian Government joins the allied forces in WWI. They soon experience the mud and horror of the trenches of Armentieres. Malouf’s use of narrative techniques such as third person perspective and contrast serve to explore the dangers of patriotism in relation to war. Similarly, imagery and setting are contrasted with the ugliness of war. Finally, a variety of language techniques coalesce to create extremely emotive language, exploring the gruelling and emotionally damaging nature of war’s conditions.

From the 1970’s Australians have been viewed as bush people as they were seeming as heroic and brave. Never the less, internationally, Australians have been showcased as vulgar, racist that have strong pride for their country. Consequently, Australia has also been viewed as an alcoholic nation as companies continuously push the stereotype to market their products. In turn, Australian’s collective identity is made up of multiple other stereotypes that have been fed into. Despite being incorrectly portrayed; the Australian identity has a positive effect on Australian culture. Not only does it bring commercial value, it brings personal identity in the country making it truly unique to

Australian and New Zealand soldiers exemplified the spirit of the Australian diggers during Vietnam by showing bravery, mateship and loyalty. Historians have stated that the battle of Long Tan served as an excellent example of the ANZAC spirit. They showed courage, loyalty, sacrifice, heroism, dedication, honour, integrity, initiative and determination throughout the Vietnam campaign. Mr. Edward Phillips who served in Vietnam as a NASHO, represents the ANZAC legend of bravery courage and loyalty, which is clear in Australia today be it in war, conflict or peacetime.

Australian history is generally known as separate historical thresholds which is the history known by both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous. However, the concept of interdependence of both of these histories is significant to the cultural aspects of us being 'Australian ' hence is demonstrated through the concepts of cohesion and

Bruce Pascoe in the excerpt titled, ‘Lake Corangamite’ from his book ‘Convincing Ground’, narrates his journey to Lake Corangamite, whilst taking particular note of the way Australians recognize the Indigenous people but do not fully respond respectfully to their nation’s history.

The Diggers’ persistence and ability to perform when it is required was shaped into the culture and the identity of the Australian people. This became the Anzac Legend.

The Anzac Spirit is made up of the qualities that the Anzacs have come to be known for. These qualities include comradeship, bravery, ingenuity, endurance and many more. Charles Bean wrote “By dawn on December 20th Anzac had faded into a dim blue line lost amid other hills on the horizon as the ships took their human freight to Imbros, Lemnos and Egypt. But Anzac stood, and still stands, for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship, and endurance that will never own defeat,” (Awm.gov.au, 2015) stating the qualities of the Anzac Spirit and how they should be valued above all others, as they “will

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have resided in Australia for at least 60,000 years with an extraordinary relationship to the land and sea; Land rights were formed by a complex social process constructed on traditional values where the rights of the land were hereditary, established on principles of decedents, kinship and marriage (Dodds, 1998).

The Australian Culture is ever evolving like most cultures and from the understanding of Australian culture, though the understanding of their Economy, Military and how Infrastructure got them there. First, through understanding their Economy, though looking at where they used to be and where they are today. By studying the Australian Military through some of the battles and contributions, in which they have been a part. Finally, to understand Australian culture by assimilating infrastructure, which played an important role in who they are as a culture today.

‘Neighbours’, created by Reg Watson in 1985 has become the longest Australian drama series on Australian television. The show has become an Australian icon and tradition that stretches across four decades and around 60 countries worldwide. Opening with the popular theme song ‘’Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours, with a little understanding, you can find the perfect blend, should be there for one another, that’s when good Neighbours become good friend’’, has created an emotional connection to audiences in Australia, mirroring who we are as a nation. The show has represented ideas of ‘Australianness’, from our ‘Aussie values’ such as culture, family, and heritage and ‘Aussie tradition’ involving the idea of ‘mateship, ‘fair go’,