Joan Makes History- Kate Grenville Essay - 1268 Words

Kate Grenvilles episodic novel Joan Makes History (1988) is also good to think with in term of national identity. Grenville deviates from exploring Amanda Lohreys suggestion of a suitable past (1996). Instead of celebrating what Lohrey describes as mindless nationalism (1996, p 150), in the invented traditions of Australian society, national identity, political progression and territory, Grenville explores the key periods of Australian history through the first-person narration, presenting subjective perspectives on the cultural ‘turning points of the past century. The episodic structure of the story allows Grenville to fully explore the diverse cultural perspectives of these events, as thus communication the message of how†¦show more content†¦Joan feels the strains of domesticity and the remoteness of her personal time and place impact upon her dreams as she figuratively becomes a prisoner of the tadpole inside me. As Joan moves into the country with Duncan, she mo ves further away from her believed destiny, World!... You could have been mine! (p110). The remoteness of Joans home continues to reflect her distant feelings towards Duncan, nothing here but dust and monotonous sun (p111). Jennifer Craik (1990), uses the house the Queenslander as a form of everyday material culture that affects the identity of its occupants. Craik identifies the home as the key arena in which these [urban] politics are played out (1990, p1). However, as Craik continues to assert that the home has a need to facilitate the dynamics of domestic life (1990, p15), the lack of Joans domestic dynamics becomes apparent, I was on my own now, every bond snapped. Joans ironic attempt to make history by becoming a man, I was Jack, a woman of destiny, was how she realized her true destiny- as a mother. Craiks assertion that within the house, everyday life appears to be innocent is complimented by Williams, who asserts culture is ordinary. In order to interpret ones social identity, we must start with a basic proposition so we canShow MoreRelatedBelonging Essay4112 Words   |  17 Pagesrelationships, ideas as well as the places, events and societies, by different composers through their use of language modes, forms, and their relevant structural forms and language features engage personally with their texts and draw on their own experience make connections to their perceptions of the world and the worlds represented in the texts. Waverley Library database Log on to the database Literature Resource Centre - HSC English Syllabus via the Waverley library home page either though the internet