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Analytical essay Authors communicate important and relative human experiences through their use of intentional language choices. A deep exploration of Melina Marchetta’s novel “Looking for Alibrandi” represents the significance of family in shaping ones identity and life experiences. The examination of the protagonists fractured identity with her father allows audiences to note that similarities and shared experiences between individuals has the capacity the mend their differences and bring them back together. Cultural barriers is reflected through the conflicting experiences of Josephine Alibrandi as she undergoes a sense of disassociation of her Nonna’s traditions and a lack of belonging. The idea of identity is also thoroughly explored through the novel as she navigates through her difficult years of adolescence as she struggles to find her true identity and understand the world around her. Thus, the intentional construction of language enables authors to express significant ideas. An individual’s interaction with family plays a vital role in shaping one’s identity as achieved through an author’s ability to capture the importance of family through the use of language. The examination of the novel projects the importance of family required for an individual’s growth and life experiences. This is highlighted through a memorable scene whereby Josephine’s actions of violence require her to need the assistance of her father, “your daughter has broken my daughter’s nose”, the use of the possessive pronoun “your” symbolises a deep connection between Michael and Josephine and establishes an opportunity for them to develop a meaningful relationship together. This similarity in nature is further affirmed through the repetition utilised in “my daughter inherited my quick temper”. The repetition of “my” reflects the similar characteristics that exists between them that eventually results in them forming a close and loving bond together and then accepts his request to become an “Andretti”. Therefore, despite the fractured relationship Josie had with her father in the past, she was able to achieve a loving relationship with him, thus reinforcing the importance of family as conveyed through the author’s intentional language choices. The significant complication of cultural barriers is reflected through the language of authors as it enables the audience to understand the difficulty of lack of belonging. This is communicated through short sharp sentence of “Rituals. They come and they go but the rituals of having to see my grandma every afternoon drives me absolutely insane”, the short sharp sentence of “Rituals” defines the character of her grandmother and their cultural differences as she is more apprehensive of tradition and culture rather than developing a loving relationship with her granddaughter which is further affirmed through the frustrated tone of “insane”. Furthermore, repetition is utilised in “Oh, Josie, Josie. Look at your hair. Why, Josie? Why can you not look tidy?”. The repetition of “Josie” emphasises the importance of appearance that her Nonna has inherited due to their Italian culture, which Josie has not inherited, further reinforcing the cultural barriers Josie experiences caused by the frustration of her Nonna’s tone. Thus, the significant use of language has the power to capture important ideas of the different perceptions of culture.

An individuals ability to find their identity is achieved through the navigation of their life as reflected in the examination of key moments in the novel through the use of intentional language. The protagonist achieves the search of her identity as highlighted through, “if somebody comes up to me and asks what nationality I am, I’ll look at them and say I’m Australian with Italian blood flowing rapidly through my veins. I’ll say with that pride, because its pride I feel”. The first person active voice engages the audience in the personas determined and passionate tone as affirmed through the repetition of “pride” to represent his mixed identity as a positive aspect of her life. This is also correspondent in the figurative language utilised in “You can’t hate what you’re part of. What you are. I resent it most of the time curse it always, but it’ll be part of me until the day I die”. Josie’s journey of discovery and maturity allows her to find peace and pride in her Italian background and cherish her identity as well as acknowledge that culture is an essential to her identity and shapes who we are. Therefore, the language choices in stories have the power to plant numerous seeds subconsciously into our minds and thus communicate the importance of the identity of an individual. In conclusion, the intentional construction of language enables the author to communicate significant ideas. Marchetta’s novel, “Looking for Alibrandi” is a powerful representation of expressing important experiences and ideas relative to family, cultural barriers and identity....