Identity

The concept of Identity is complex through the exploration of relationships and a sense of belonging. This is explored within Tim Winton’s short stories, ‘ Neighbours’ and ‘Big World’, and in Robert Walker’s poem ‘Okay, Let’s be Honest’. Identity can change and evolve depending on belief, change, language and shifting influences.
Tim Winton, the composer of ‘Neighbours’ has a perplexed and distressing tone as he suggests to the reader, the significance of multiculturalism and diversity within Australia. Winton also expresses the different cultures and nationalities, by emphasising the variety of characteristics within each ethnicity. One example of this is ‘The Macedonian family shouted, ranted, screamed’. This tells the reader what sort of personalities and attitudes people may perceive Macedonians as. Winton used the effects of tone and imagery to provide a better and more vivid image to emphasise the cultural differences within the neighbourhood. In this case, the Macedonian family’s identity is being questioned and judged by the way they project themselves to the society.
‘The Young man sensed their disapproval’. This quote expresses the non acceptance within the neighourhood which Winton is writing about. It emphasises the point he is trying to convey as it is telling the reader thoughts the character is feeling about his identity and being accepted, by others in his neighbourhood. Not only that but, Winton used metaphors related to changing seasons to represent the transitions and moods of the characters. ‘As Autumn merged into Winter and the vermilion sunsets were followed by sudden, dark dusks touched with the smell of wood smoke and the sound of roosters crowing days end.’ The season of winter consists of feelings and emotions of coldness, isolation and sadness. In this case Tim Winton contradicts these emotions by using contrast. In his text he expresses a feeling of happiness, growth and coming together during the transition of autumn to winter. This