Typical Australian Essay Example

sarcastic tone. The author uses simple language, Australian phrases, and slang to convey irritation towards the culture. Phrases like "Fair Dinkum" and "True Blue" are repeated to emphasize the main point: that being born to an Englishman would grant acceptance as an Australian citizen. The author suggests that Australians can be racist, shown in stanza two lines twenty-one and twenty-two, joking about different ethnicities. They also depict Aussies as inconsiderate and disrespectful of their land, as seen in stanza two lines eighteen and nineteen, desecrating the countryside and destroying kangaroos. This prompts readers to think critically about Australian culture.

The poem "If I was the Son of an Englishman" challenges the quote by Ward and portrays the Australian Identity. It includes both women and children, representing all Australians. Another notable Australian poem is "The Man from Snowy River" by Banjo Patterson.

The story is about a thrilling horseback chase to catch a racehorse's prized colt that escaped from its enclosure. A group of riders try to capture the horses, but the wild horses go down a steep slope, causing the riders to abandon the pursuit. However, a brave young hero, whose name is not mentioned, continues the chase on his pony. He bravely rides down the steep cliff, saves the day by capturing the horse, and becomes a legend. The poem promotes the idea of not judging things based on their appearance. Its rhyme scheme follows ABAB CDCD.

Poetic devices such as alliteration and onomatopoeia are evident in lines like “Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home” and “resounded to the thunder of the tread”. Metaphors such as “And one was there, a stripling on a

small and weedy beast” and “he bore the badge of gameness in his quick and fiery eye.” are employed. Similes, such as “the old man with his hair as white as snow” and “He raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed. ", all effectively come together to create a vivid image of galloping horses and an exhilarating chase in the readers' minds.

The author paints a vivid picture of wild horses running in the Australian bush, with an Australian bushman in pursuit. The language used throughout the story reflects typical Australian slang and expressions, such as "bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are" and "And he swung his stockwhip round." These words and phrases help convey the attitudes, values, and beliefs of the true Australian spirit and mateship to the reader. The story maintains an exciting and fast-paced mood, building up anticipation towards the exhilarating climax. However, it is worth noting that women and children are marginalized in this poem.

The bushman riders are men and during that time the women and children stayed at home while the men worked during the day. "The Man from Snowy River" is a ballad that emphasizes the typical Australian Identity, portraying the rugged and daring man who is not afraid of taking risks and facing challenges. The protagonist in this poem is courageous, clever, and adventurous, showcasing the qualities described by Russell Ward as integral to the legendary Australian Identity. (Click) "The One Day of the Year" is a renowned Australian play penned by Alan Seymour in 1960.

The play tells the story of the Cook family and their experiences around Anzac Day. Alf,

an elderly veteran of WW1, marks the occasion by having a few beers with his friend Wacka Dawson. Alf's son, Hughie, is studying at university and introduces his girlfriend, Jan, to the family. Hughie feels embarrassed and ashamed of his parents' behavior on Anzac Day and has a different perspective on the significance of the day. While Alf sees Anzac Day as a time for veterans to come together, drink, and feel special, Hughie views it as a mere excuse for excessive drinking. Jan and Hughie decide to write an article about the Anzacs for their university paper.

Hughie captures images of Anzac day rebellions while inebriated and vomiting on the streets. Even Dot, the mother who maintains peace in the family, fails to prevent the significant conflict that unfolds when Alf reads the article. The play challenges and reinforces Russell Ward's concept of Australian identity through a variety of characters with different beliefs. Alf and Hughie, for instance, possess contrasting perspectives on Anzac day. Alan Seymour portrays Alf as a stereotypical Australian man, thereby reinforcing Russell Ward's statement.

Alf and Hughie have contrasting views on Anzac day. According to Alf, it is a day for war veterans to celebrate and feel proud while enjoying a beer. He frequently asserts that it is the day for "the old diggers" and proudly proclaims his Australian identity. On the other hand, Hughie believes that Anzac day is being misused as an excuse for excessive drinking by Australian men. He considers the day to be a waste of time and, together with his aristocratic girlfriend Jan, writes an article criticizing Australians on Anzac day as "a screaming tribe of

great, stupid, drunken no-hopers".

Russell Ward's quote describes the mythical idea of an Australian as someone who swears, gambles heavily, and drinks deeply on occasions. They are loyal to their mates even if they disagree with them. Alf's character embodies this description; he drinks heavily, especially on Anzac day, speaks in Australian slang, and frequently uses strong language like "bugger" and "bloody". He believes in the Australian culture but thinks that modern Australians are becoming disrespectful and ungrateful towards the servicemen from the war.

Hughie, a character in the story, questions the statement by posing a question to the reader, "Does getting drunk on Anzac day imply disrespect for soldiers who fought in the war?" Hughie is a new university student who considers himself to be more knowledgeable and mature than his parents. Wacka and Alf, on the other hand, share a strong bond of friendship. These two companions have gone through the war together and demonstrate the qualities of mateship described by Russell Ward in his quote. They support each other in good times and bad and find contentment in their lives.

The character of Dot embodies the typical housewife and possesses qualities similar to the typical Australian man Russell Ward describes. While Ward's quote may marginalize women and society typically envisions a male as the archetypal Australian, Dot challenges and reinforces Ward's ideas along with the portrayal of Australians in these two poems and the play. "If I Was the Son of an Englishman" challenges Ward's notions of the Australian identity by depicting Australians as racist and judgmental. On the other hand, "The Man from Snowy River" supports Ward's quote by describing a rugged bushman who

is adventurous and willing to tackle anything. "The One Day of the Year" both reinforces and challenges Ward's ideas through an array of characters with different beliefs. Alf, Dot, and Wacka reinforce Ward's quote, while Hughie and Jan present a challenge to it. Australia can be perceived in various ways, as different stereotypes exist and opinions vary. Nevertheless, Australia is a beautiful country enriched with diverse culture, heritage, and people, and we should all take pride in being Australian!