ipl-logo

Song Analysis Of Paul Kelly's Song Of Australian Identity

569 Words3 Pages

Good morning/ afternoon Ms/Sir and boys, an identity can be seen as defining us as people and may be cultural, ethnic, religious, gendered, class-oriented or ideological. The Australian identity over time has been stereotyped and generalised to us being these people who are bronzed gods and live in the bush fighting animals, we also see stereotypes of us as a nation of drinkers and sports enthusiasts, but we all know this identity has been falsified and is not true for the majority of Australians. Australia is a country that can be described as diverse, multicultural and unique. I have been recently studying the work of Paul Kelly, in particular his song, from little things big things grow. The song tells the inspiring story of the Gurindji people's fight for equality and land rights in the 1960’s and 70’s. The lyrics in this song outline a radical change in the Australian identity, the idea that someone can have a view and from that create a movement of change. This song refers to how little ideas or view from a single person can create big changes that affect the way thousands of people live, this is shown in the title of the sing from little things big things grow. The back story behind this incredible song is about Vincent Lingiari becoming the head stockman of the Vestey brothers cattle station in Wave Hill, WA, and from that lead 200 aboriginal people in a walk-off strike away from the station. …show more content…

“Gurindji were working for nothing but rations, where once they had gathered the wealth of the land, daily the oppression got tighter and tighter” this quote from the song makes a general outline of the conditions that the Gurindji people were facing during this

Show More
Related
898 Words | 4 Pages

So much to do here in Australia, there is just no time for anywhere else anyway.” (Trent Parke, 2014). Parke explores the Australian identity through his emotion and interest in relation to the

Read More
410 Words | 2 Pages

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.

Read More
499 Words | 2 Pages

Personification is a powerful tool used by writers to help the reader understand what is being said. Since the invasion of Europeans in 1788, Indigenous Australians have struggled with displacement and loss of identity. This sentiment is fully examined in Municipal Gum presenting the view that all their traditions and culture have just faded away. Simile

Read More
458 Words | 2 Pages

we heard a howl of humiliation that echoes across two centuries of dispossession, injustice, suffering and survival,” alluding to the concept of community and

Read More
1811 Words | 8 Pages

This cinematography of the close-up shot highlights how the threat of globalisation is right at their door due to the growing global economy. The diegetic sound of the knocking in conjunction with the non-diegetic sound of the voice-over highlights the importance of cultural identity and a sense of belonging in the face of change. In the contextual 1990s globalisation was beginning to peak and the historical place in time is represented to impact the cultural identity within Australia.

Read More
1074 Words | 5 Pages

The story both affirms and challenges common stereotypes about Australian culture and identity. The story affirms stereotypes through highlighting the Australian landscape as a harsh and unforgiving environment, where individuals must rely on their wits and strength to survive. This reinforces the stereotype of Australians as tough and self-reliant individuals. This is evident through, "The stony, waterless ridges, with their stunted trees and patches of thin, coarse grass, stretched away to the horizon all around him, and the smoke of his fire went straight up into the still, dry air. "

Read More
2266 Words | 10 Pages

Robert Drewe’s 1996 novel The Drowner is, among other things, a representation of Western Australian lifestyle, culture and identity in the late 19th century. At the time, Australia was still a young nation; an “underdog” among Western countries. However, numerous gold rushes brought wealth and prosperity to the nation, attracting millions of immigrants from mainly European countries. Australia’s national identity developed into one centred around the values of hard work, perseverance and mateship—values which are still central to our identity today.

Read More
1592 Words | 7 Pages

After the recent anniversary of the apology to AFL legend, Nicky Winmar, this inspirational moment in Indigenous sporting history continues to be forgotten. The choice to stand and take action in showing the honour to be Aboriginal is scary and brave. They should not feel like this ever, feel scared for showing others their identity, yet they are and being criticised for the colour of their skin. We need to make this a normality for them, so they do not have to be crying out for a place to belong. Our nation will all experience a loss of identity and belonging at some point in our lives, however we fail to acknowledge this to be a daily routine for many Indigenous Australians.

Read More
1190 Words | 5 Pages

Abstract Being an aborigine in a white dominated society is a complicated identity. Australia, one of the white governed nations, also owns many aboriginal tribes. They lived harmonious lives in the early period. But European colonization has made a profound effect on the lives of Aboriginals in Australia, which led to the total demolition of their native culture, identity and history. As a result the new generation Aboriginals have lost their Aboriginal heritage and have been accepted neither by Aboriginals nor by whites.

Read More
700 Words | 3 Pages

(2002). Aboriginal identity in contemporary society. Stepney, S.A:

Read More
150 Words | 1 Pages

In Chapter 4, Acts of the Apostles, Warrington, specifies, “The Spirit baptized and fill them, provided guidance, reveals sin, empowers people for service, inspire prophecy, and inspires and supports the proclamations of the Gospel.” God the Father fulfilled his promise to give them the Holy Spirit as a sign of forgiveness. During the first century, Jews and gentiles’ community had idolatry. Warrington, discuss about the Pentecost day when Jews were filled with the pneuma. The Spirit chose who He wants to baptize with the gifts.

Read More
976 Words | 4 Pages

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.

Read More
690 Words | 3 Pages

The descriptive language, “cheap, exotic food” even tries to ridicule the cultural food which migrants were expected to prepare for the Australians. “Cheap, exotic food” is a connotation for unsatisfactory food. “Feed the mainstream”, hints that regardless of a migrant’s new identity, they were still considered as different from the majority. The quote, “We’ve given you opportunity for family reunion, equality, and status, though your colour could be wrong” uses racial imagery to create a picture in the audience’s mind of the “incorrect” coloured Australians. This statement maintains the concept of migrants never being able to be fully considered Australian.

Read More
827 Words | 4 Pages

For instance, this song notes the challenges and downfalls of living a farmer lifestyle. Through the lyrics “My daddy spent his life lookin’ up at the sky, He’d cuss kick the dust, sayin’ son its way to dry” notes how the community spends most of their days relent on the rain and the negative impact that this can have on one's lives. In comparison to the city, the lyrics “It clouds up in the city, the weather man complains.” Notes how the two communities differentiate between weather. Cities economies are more business and market based whereas rural communities are strongly based on agricultural income and growth.

Read More
698 Words | 3 Pages

The identity of a culture began to disappear into government suppression because of the forced removal. The line in the song that has the most repetition is "The time has come..." which emphasizes the return of these lands to their native people. Over recent decades, many Pintupi have moved back into their homes in their native land as part of the Outstation Movement. They have set up the community Kentore in the Northern Territory, and Kiwirrkura and Jupiter Well in Western Australia. “Beds Are Burning” means, how can we pretend that nothing is happening to our land, and how can we prevent it, stop it from affecting us.

Read More

More about Song Analysis Of Paul Kelly's Song Of Australian Identity

Related Topics

Open Document