Being Australian: Narratives of national identity
Catriona Elder
Jun 2007 · Allen & Unwin
2.0star
1 review
Ebook
400
Pages
About this ebook
After a century of speculation by writers, filmmakers, travelers and scholars, being Australian' has become a recognisable shorthand for a group of national characteristics. Now, in an era of international terrorism, being seen as un-Australian' has become a potent rhetorical weapon for some, and a badge of honour for others.
Catriona Elder explores the origins, meaning and effects of the many stories we tell about ourselves, and how they have changed over time. She outlines some of the traditional stories and their role in Australian nationalism, and she shows how concepts of egalitarianism, peaceful settlement and sporting prowess have been used to create a national identity.
Elder also investigates the cultural and social perspectives that have been used to critique dominant accounts of Australian identity, including ideas of class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and race. She shows how these critiques have been, in turn, queried in recent years.
Being Australian is an ideal introduction to studying Australia for anyone interested in understanding Australian society, culture and history.
A clever work: incisive and original. At a time when Australian identities have never been more debated, Elder finds an open way through the closed doors which often restrict cultural representations of Australian-ness.'
Professor Adam Shoemaker, Dean of Arts, ANU
This is a timely and significant new analysis essential reading on issues of identity and our own anxieties about national belonging and what it means to be Australian' in a globalising world.'
Kate Darian-Smith, Professor of Australian Studies and History, University of Melbourne
Catriona Elder explores the origins, meaning and effects of the many stories we tell about ourselves, and how they have changed over time. She outlines some of the traditional stories and their role in Australian nationalism, and she shows how concepts of egalitarianism, peaceful settlement and sporting prowess have been used to create a national identity.
Elder also investigates the cultural and social perspectives that have been used to critique dominant accounts of Australian identity, including ideas of class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and race. She shows how these critiques have been, in turn, queried in recent years.
Being Australian is an ideal introduction to studying Australia for anyone interested in understanding Australian society, culture and history.
A clever work: incisive and original. At a time when Australian identities have never been more debated, Elder finds an open way through the closed doors which often restrict cultural representations of Australian-ness.'
Professor Adam Shoemaker, Dean of Arts, ANU
This is a timely and significant new analysis essential reading on issues of identity and our own anxieties about national belonging and what it means to be Australian' in a globalising world.'
Kate Darian-Smith, Professor of Australian Studies and History, University of Melbourne
Ratings and reviews
2.0
1 review
A Google user
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September 25, 2011
Seems to be a very in-depth look at what makes Australians- well, Australians. It also seems to go back and forth a lot between what IS an Australian and what is un- Australian, giving examples of athletes and others. Overall, though, it didn't grab my attention.
About the author
Catriona Elder lectures in the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Sydney.
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