Description
Overview
This Anthology works in tandem with How to Write an A+ Essay so that students can improve their text response skills. They will work through key ideas, the social, cultural, political and historical world-of-the-text, topic sentences, key ideas, the author’s views and values as well as literary features. They will plan and analyse their ideas in paragraphs and essays. (See sample paragraphs and essays.)
For maximum benefit, study in conjunction with How to Write an A+ Text response essay.
This anthology comprises a snapshot of the diversity and depth of Australian literature.
Chapter 1: The stories and poems of the First Nations people focus on their dreaming and cultural beliefs since time “immemorial”. The stories also deal with the aftermath of colonisation — dispossession and “stolen” children. Despite their ongoing trauma, a humorous and resilient spirit shines through.
Chapter 2: Stories by authors in the colonial period (1888-1914) primarily depict life in the bush. These stories and poems reveal romanticised and sentimental portraits of the vast outback, controversial ideals of mateship as well as critical depictions of the gender and city-bush divides.
Chapter 3: Multicultural mixes: Immigration did not start with the dismantling of the White Australia Policy in 1966. However, with the demise of the policy, immigration increased rapidly and official policies shifted to “multiculturalism” and integration. These diverse literary snapshots depict the growing-up experiences of children with ethnically diverse backgrounds. They are juxtaposed with the experiences of migrants who came to Australia by boat. These authors provide a unique outsider’s — insider’s perspective; their personal journeys coincide with the growth of a nation.
Chapter 4: These stories provide a recent insight into the disruption and disaster caused by the coronavirus pandemic and widespread environmental destruction. Whether it be coping with lock-downs and physical distancing measures, or devastating fires, individuals are undergoing experiences for which there is no blueprint. Somehow, these stories also contain glimmers of hope and joy. Another silver-lining of rapid social flux is increased tolerance for diversity and the emergence of diverse literary voices.
An Australian Anthology: a snapshot of literary landscapes is supported by online support. There are notes and extension activities on each story.
