My Place

    Style and Language - My Place - Sally Morgan # LITERARY TECHNIQUE # My Place uses a Craft of Writing by ordinary people for ordinary people. The style appeals to non-literary readers. It is non-fiction yet it uses many of the conventions and processes of literature. It is characterised by anti-intellectual and non-academic research and writing. It is an oral story of personal triumph against whiteman’s way and all odds.

    Characters: My Place - Sally Morgan # None of the characters in the book are well known except in that each is special and loved and eventually become noteworthy, full of worth. Nan at first feels worthless but gradually develops self worth through love exhibited by her child and grandchildren. The main Characters: # Sally # The first person narrator, Sally simply and candidly tells us the story of her life and her emerging self discovery and voice.

    Frontier Massacres # Cook’s Orders: “to look for signs of occupation and negotiate with any natives they encountered”. He was further ordered “to open dialogue and establish friendship”. Thomas Morton, President of the Royal Society added: “any natives you encounter are to be considered natural and legal possessors and no European nation has the right to occupy or settle among them without their consent. Despite many hostile receptions, Cook ignored his express orders and before leaving the shores of New Holland, Cook declared it “terra nullus”, planted a British Flag on Possession Island.

    MY PLACE – Sally Morgan # Title: Place can mean space, rank or belonging. We all have a special place that holds significant or poignant memories for us. It could be our birthplace or a place of worship like Mt Olympus, Stonehenge, Machu Pichu, Angkor Wat, Uluru, a Cathedral, Mosque, Synagogue….a numinous place close to spiritual heaven - a sacred site. Aboriginal Australians carry a strong sence of country - their place.

    Evaluation: # This is an excellent low key or understated portrayal of the injustices white people have imposed on the original occupants of Australia and the attempts made by aboriginal people to reclaim their sense of identity and belonging. Using the actual voices of the participants, Sally Morgan’s autobiographical novel like her painting, is a rich tapestry told in an ironic matter of fact manner that gives each of the characters a worthy dignity that no one can take away.

    Issues, Concerns, Themes, Values My Place Sally Morgan # Sally is driven by a need to: # interpret her life through a search of identity and heritage. Hers is a struggle for self hood “Mum never let me belong”. Her family attempts to deny her the right to know her heritage. Sally takes a pilgrimage north links her to an extended family, to find “her place” - where Nan was born and where Sally comes from and feels she belongs.

    Post Colonialism in Australia # Colonialism has been a part of history since the beginning of early civilisations. Great empires can only develop by the exploitation of other civilisations for both cheap labours and a source of raw materials. Ancient Greece had colonies as did Troy, Persia and later Rome. In fact early Britain was once a colony of first Rome, then the Vikings, and finally the Normans. It was during the Middle Ages that Europe began to explore the world for a source of raw materials that a race for colonies began.

    Rottnest Island’s dark past # BRONWYN WATSON From:The Australian December 15, 2012 WITH its 63 beaches, Rottnest Island is a favorite Tourist spot, yet many visitors are unaware there is a sinister side to the island’s history. From 1838, for nearly 100 years, Rottnest Island, about 20km off the coast of Western Australia, was a prison where 3700 Aboriginal men and boys, ranging in age from eight to 70, were brought from right across the state to be imprisoned, often for minor offences such as stealing food.

    Keating’s Redfern speech # On the 10th of December, 1992, The Prime Minister, Paul Keating delivered a landmark speech in Redfern, at that time a disadvantaged inner suburb of Sydney. According to by Joel Deane, speechwriter, poet and novelist, Don Watson claimed the speech as his; that he had authored it and Keating had delivered it word for word. Watson added that Keating deserved credit for having the courage and conviction to deliver the speech holus bolus.

    Black Deaths Matter # Sir Ronald Wilson Stolen Generations inquiry and Deaths in Custody. “He began calling the Stolen children policy genocide, and was criticised roundly for it.” He produced the Human Rights Commission’s report on the stolen generation, Bringing Them Home. Wilson was a ruthless prosecutor. As a judge, he stood firm on state rights even when such rights would interfere with the basic rights and liberties of Australian Aboriginals.