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What Is The Theme Of The Turning By Tim Winton

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Tim Winton’s 2004 ‘The Turning’ is a collection of short stories that provide an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of Australian identity, place, and culture. Each of the stories can be read and analysed individually, however many of the characters and plots have been interwoven with one another, allowing Winton to explore complex ideas on a deeper and more intricate level. Through his vivid and evocative descriptions of the Australian landscape and its people, use point of view, and symbolism throughout, Winton in many ways challenges the habitual ways Australians think about themselves as a nation, whilst also reinforcing certain aspects of Australia’s national identity. ‘The Turning’ focuses heavily on the character of Vic Lang, …show more content…

This is explored throughout the turning through themes of mental health, bullying, violence and alcoholism. The character of Max is present in several the stories from ‘The Turning’ including ‘Sand,’ ‘Family,’ and ‘The Turning.’ Winton utilises the 3rd person limited point of view in all three of these stories in order to position the reader to resent Max as much as possible. It allows the reader to focus on Raelene and Frank, two characters who are badly treated by Max, thus sympathising with them. ‘The Turning’ begins with a description of Raelene’s injuries that occurred after Max abused her one night, writing that she was “crook as a dog” and that “girls would hardly look at her after last night.” Raelene then “gobbles a couple more Panadol” and “begins bagging dirty clothes which stank of cray bait and bloke sweat.” In a way, these sentences contradict each other, as on one hand she has been physically abuse to the point where she needs to “gobble Panadol”, implying she took multiple more tablets, and on the other hand she continues to clean up after her abuser. The use of the Australian colloquialism “bloke” links the story to the topic of toxic masculinity, as the term implies the strong, emotionless male stereotype. Max being physically superior to Raelene, and Raelene cleaning up after Max fits the male and female gender stereotypes. Tim Winton also however, utilises Carol Lang to challenge this notion, as she is self-sufficient for herself and her Vic, and shows stoic character despite difficulties she faces. Australia has a well-known drinking culture, and for the most part it’s viewed in a positive light, however stories in ‘The Turning’ depict the negative aspect of such a culture. More than anything, drinking is portrayed as a coping mechanism. In ‘Sand’ Max’s reasons

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The turning is a collection of short stories by celebrated author Tim Winton which all share the same themes and containing references to the other stories in the book. The stories show the experiences of adolescence growing up in rural Australia or in the city and have moved from there. The protagonist in the Turning are always referred to as ‘me’ to better put yourself in their shoes making the stories more immersive.

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