Chapter Reflections
Journal 3
‘Making of Modern Australia’ Chapter Reflections.
Prologue. History as a caged cockatoo
The author is proud of Australia and its culture, thus he is part of the majority of Australians that are ‘proud Australians’. The sense of ‘mateship’ is heavily integrated in the first few paragraphs and this is an iconic image of Australia. ‘You need mates down here, you know… And a mate is basically someone you trust. You may not understand them; they may not look like you; you may not even know them that well. They may talk different to you. But if you trust them and they can trust you, then they’re mates.’ (Murphy, B – page 2). This was a really powerful quote and helps give an image of Australian ‘mateship’ in the sense that anyone can be a mate and the colour of your skin, different culture and religion etc., simple things like this, are irrelevant. The author and I believe that ‘Never to me has (this) concept been better described.’ (McInnes, M – page 2). William McInnes recognises the fact that there is more to history than what is projected on television or taught at school. He describes history as many things and there are many stories yet to be told. McInnes regularly states ‘History is many things’ throughout the prologue and this reinforces the message he is trying to get across: history is many things. He clearly expresses this and this gives me an impression that he is fascinated by history and its impact on Australia and its image.
Powerful image stimulating quote: ‘History, like that bird, will always try to talk to you. The least we can do is listen.’ (McInnes, M – page 4).
1. Just come back by the time it’s dark
This chapter focuses on the children and their upbringing. He compares the norm of an Australian childhood (a happy one) to other childhoods that were less fortunate to get a happy or more fortunate childhood. ‘After all, we grew up in Australia, where for many of us a happy childhood is the norm, not a privilege (McInnes, M – page
‘Making of Modern Australia’ Chapter Reflections.
Prologue. History as a caged cockatoo
The author is proud of Australia and its culture, thus he is part of the majority of Australians that are ‘proud Australians’. The sense of ‘mateship’ is heavily integrated in the first few paragraphs and this is an iconic image of Australia. ‘You need mates down here, you know… And a mate is basically someone you trust. You may not understand them; they may not look like you; you may not even know them that well. They may talk different to you. But if you trust them and they can trust you, then they’re mates.’ (Murphy, B – page 2). This was a really powerful quote and helps give an image of Australian ‘mateship’ in the sense that anyone can be a mate and the colour of your skin, different culture and religion etc., simple things like this, are irrelevant. The author and I believe that ‘Never to me has (this) concept been better described.’ (McInnes, M – page 2). William McInnes recognises the fact that there is more to history than what is projected on television or taught at school. He describes history as many things and there are many stories yet to be told. McInnes regularly states ‘History is many things’ throughout the prologue and this reinforces the message he is trying to get across: history is many things. He clearly expresses this and this gives me an impression that he is fascinated by history and its impact on Australia and its image.
Powerful image stimulating quote: ‘History, like that bird, will always try to talk to you. The least we can do is listen.’ (McInnes, M – page 4).
1. Just come back by the time it’s dark
This chapter focuses on the children and their upbringing. He compares the norm of an Australian childhood (a happy one) to other childhoods that were less fortunate to get a happy or more fortunate childhood. ‘After all, we grew up in Australia, where for many of us a happy childhood is the norm, not a privilege (McInnes, M – page