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Australian Identity In Away By Michael Gow

1823 Words8 Pages

What does it really mean to be Australian? Is Australia really just: bushland, hot sunny beaches, native animals and having to have a laid back attitude? These are just common stereotypes about the ‘land down under’. With Australia settled by the British colony many of its inhabitants were the leftover convicts from Europe. After world war 2 boat people and asylum seekers arrived in Australia hoping for a new life. This change in the 1960’s led to a change in Australian identity and the idea of a white Australia. One literary text that reflects the issues and challenges faced in the 1960’s is Michael Gow’s play, Away. Dealing with the challenges of this time, Away focuses on the lives of three different families and the idea of reconciliation and self-discovery. Through themes, language and characterisation Away challenges ideas …show more content…

The storm especially impacts Jim, Gwen and Meg ‘JIM, GWEN and MEG are driven out by the FAIRIES, who wreak havoc with noise, light and frenzied activity’ the storm destroys Gwen’s old way of life. The water has a healing aspect for Gwen as Vic says ‘The water’s very warm today. We had a quick paddle.’ after they had come back from ‘crying and are supporting each other’ At the very end of the play the class come together, like in the beginning, and Mrs. Latrobe ‘I’d bring you all out here under the trees to read this’ bring them under the trees, after each character has been healed and Tom reads the beginning lines of William Shakespeare’s King Leah. This final place is the final healing aspect of the play and the play King Leah also naturalises the healing power of nature ‘the struggle between Man and Nature, as well as between Man and Man, and between Man and Himself… And it is the power of Nature’ and although Tom has been able to ‘heal’ everybody else around him, he is unable to heal himself showing the struggle between Man and

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