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ENGLISH HSC NOTES COMMON MODULE – BILLY ELLIOT CONTEXT:  Stephan Daldry 2000  Set in 1984  Miner’s Strike  Durham England – working class  Political strain and unrest  Lack of trust and hope in the government  The people as a community banded together to strike as a Union TECHNIQUE Longshot

QUOTE Billy hides ballet shoes from dad

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Uncertainty of the future Socially – heteronormative society with narrow gender expectations and stereotypes Tension in the county (political, social, etc) Tension in Billy’s family Tension within Billy himself

IMPACT/EFFECT Shows the panic, fear and shame in exposing his true self to his father and…

Symbolism

“Those gloves were my dad’s” Jackie

Tracking shot

Billy has the ballet shoes hanging around his neck while he dances through the street

Cutting shots/low angle shots

Between Jackie and Billy

Emphasising Tony’s status and strength over Billy.

High modality

“You won’t fool the children of the revolution”

Reveals the way in which Billy is evolving, as he is not fooled by the expectations of gender that have been imposed on him by his father (and community).

Simile

“I’m just there, flying, like a bird”

Contributes to the Swan Lake motif allowing him to reiterate the way in which dance provides him with the freedom to transcend obstacles

Closeup Shot

Sledgehammer smashing piano followed by panning shot

Reveals Billy’s pain and horror at dads’ choices – Jackie is destroying Billy’s connection to creativity an self-expression as well as his mother

Symbolism of tradition leads to pressure in following the family tradition which further leads to discomfort in Billy’s new identity. conveys that billy feels free to move and that dancing brings him joy. He feels light and carefree – paired with the up beat music – lifting him up – a way to escape conflict.

MODULE A – HENRY LAWSON SHORT STORIES CONTEXT:  Lawson was born in 1867 in Grenfell NSW  Lawsons mother publishes political paper ‘The Republican’  Lawson contributes to it  Lawson writes for ‘The Bulletin’ – 1888  known as the bushman bible because of its appeal to the characteristic and beliefs of men in the 19 th century.

DROVER’S WIFE (1892):  Show hardships of bush life  Women are perceived as strong, independent, and resourceful  Affirms the traditional ‘Aussie Spirit’ Hardships of the Bush Life: TECHNIQUE QUOTE Repetition of ‘Bush‘ “Bush all around – bush with no and futile horizon” connotation of ‘no’ Anaphora of ‘No’ “No ranges…No undergrowth… nothing” Verb connotation “She oaks which are sighing” + and symbolism of “worn our breasts” ‘sighing’ and ‘worn out’ Singular and “she is used to being left alone” isolated connotation of ‘left alone’ “Sacrifice the remnant of his Sacrificial and scarce connotation flock”

Challenge the Victorian Depiction of Women: TECHNIQUE QUOTE Cumulative “She lifts the mangled reptile on sentence structure the point of her stick, carries it to the fire, and throws it in”

Repletion of ‘she fought’

Narration

“she fought a flood”…”she fought pleuropneumonia”…”She fought a mad bullock…”She fought a bushfire” “her surroundings are not favourable to the ‘womanly’ or sentimental side of nature”

IMPACT/EFFECT Enhances Lawsons refusal of the romanticised view of the bush  exposes the bush and harsh, futile, and unforgiving Further bolsters Lawsons notion that the bush is harsh and that it depletes individuals of a future Introduces idea of the hard work and effort as a result of the harshness of the bush

Demonstrates lonely and isolated nature of living in the bush thus further enhancing Lawsons perception of the bush as a harsh and unforgiving Alludes to the scarcity of resources and as and extension symbolises the scarcity of life in the bush  inferring strong sense of scarcity in survival  harsh environment

IMPACT/EFFECT Conveys the multiple roles of Australian women and refutes the western gender roles and expectation of women as being dainty, quiet, well-mannered  putting her children’s needs before her own and doing all she can to ensure survival. Emphasise the that the Bush is a war and that she must take on the masculine role and have independence  refutes Victorian depiction of women needed protection because they are weak Narration by henry Lawson emphasises the themes of the struggle of the drovers wife in the bush and the masculine rile she must embody to survive

THE LOADED DOG (1901):  Construct’s visuals that are both humorous and satirical in an attempt to paint picture of the range of archetypal bush identities  Insight into mateship  reinforces Lawson expressions of idealist Australian identity  Importance of mateship in the bush TECHNIQUE Short sentence following descriptive para. Personification of dog as human/alliteration Repetition Sentence structure: Ending sentence and beginning with “and” Hyperbole

Action words

Strong tension crisis and dramatic imagery

QUOTE “Dave got an idea”

IMPACT/EFFECT Focuses readers attention on the plot  emphasis that there is a change

“Foolish, four-footed mate”

Conveys the close bong Dave, Jim, Andy has to the dog  one of them

“Run, Andy! Run!” Andy’s legs started to jolt; his legs started before his brain did, and he made after Dave and Jim. And the dog followed Andy “Bushmen say that the kitchen jumped off its piles and on again”

Creates suspense and panic Adds to humours effect of the story

Showing power of the bushmen to exaggerate and absurd image which produces humorous effect. “swooped”…“bound round”… Creates suspense and keeps action moving “Spluttering”…”dive”…”Flung”..”bu throughout story rst”…”Jolt” “dog grinned” … “legs started Comical and humorous description  before his brain” emotionally connect to he group

THE UNION BURIES IT’S DEAD (1893):  Focuses on the death of a young man in a billabong and his subsequent funeral  Main focus and isolation and hardship of bush life TECHNIQUE Anaphora of

QUOTE “I have”

Reference to priest

“the devil”

Biblical reference

“One or two heathens winced slightly when the holy water was sprinkled on the coffin” “it didn’t matter much – nothing does”

Nihilistic attitude towards emotions of life and death Motif of stranger

Cumulative sentence

IMPACT/EFFECT Illustrates preference for realism and disregard for fiction that romanticises bush life Reflects lack of trust in religious institutions due to the individuals landscape and society failing to provide them relief from, the harsh reality of death int the outback

Conveys that living in the bush requires numbing approach due to the frequent occurrence. Illustrates the internal divisions among the “They were strangers to us who were on foot, and we to them. We bushmen. What is seen as a cohesive group is actually a number of isolated groups. are all strangers to the corpse” “the other two covered their right Reflects the way the colonial landscape has ears with their hats, out of respect influenced attitudes towards death in the for the departed – whoever he community. might have been”

Symbolism

“the guests shoved their hats on and off quickly”

Through the practical inability of elements of the funeral to take place, the symbolism suggest that British culture and its religion is incompatible with the harsh reality of the outback

OUR PIPES (1896):  Follows the story of two swagmen who reflect on their life in the bush nd on their past  Reveals the hardships of life in the bush TECHNIQUE Repetition of inclusive pronoun

QUOTE “we”

Simile and inclusive pronoun

“…our legs sinews, especially those of our claves, would ‘draw’ like red hot wires” “Ah! Many a solemn, thoughtful old smoke we had together on the quiet – the old man and me”

Dash and punctuation

Inclusive pronoun of we

“We cursed society because we weren’t rich men, and then we felt better”

Anaphora

“He reflected”

IMPACT/EFFECT Suggest to the reader hey will only understand the cultural connection of they have too experience that harsh reality of the bush life Reveals the shared experience of the swagmen and continual reflection of their lives in the bush Emphasises the fondness of the memory and affirms that smoking is used as a bonding experience for Australian males to reflect on their past. The cynical tone towards a society that shuns the poor bushmen highlights the difference in social classes at the time and how the poor people had to experience the harsh bush life Heightens the longing for past connections when times were ‘better’

SHOOTING THE MOON (1896):  Themes of identity, pride, friendship, connection, struggle and perseverance  Focus on hardships of bush life  connections to others TECHNIQUE Casual mention

QUOTE “or hang myself, maybe, if things got to bad”

Cumulative sentence structure

“his name was tom – tom something, I forgot the other name, but it doesn’t matter” “look here mate, why didn’t you come straight to me, and tell me how you fixed it” “where’s the matches”

Pronoun mate paired with matter of fact tone Repetition of rhetorical question Juxtaposition between quotes

“Dead – give us the matches”

IMPACT/EFFECT Implies the relaxed attitude towards death in the outback and reiterated that to accept death is apart of bush life and culture Identity isn’t important in the bush and isn’t important to have connection  connection to individual through memory. Emphasises that in the bush culture, they look after each other even if they have been taken advantage of Elaborates the shared bonding experience between two mates Grasp the theme of mateship and acceptance of death that it is apart of life in the outback and that life must go on.

MODULE B – OODGEROO NOONUCCAL THE PAST:  1966, AUS  One year before the 1967 referendum to recognise indigenous Australians  Form of protest poetry about indigenous people and culture  Refutes cultural assumption of indigenous culture being ‘dead’

Themes: 1. TIME  Connectedness between past and present. 2. CONNECTEDNESS  Connectedness with land, nature, and ancestors. 3. SPIRITUALITY  The connectedness of dreams, land, people, and identity.

TECHNIQUE Positive imperative statement

QUOTE "the past is all about us and within"

IMPACT/EFFECT personification the movement of the past 'Us' inclusive pronoun including the audience

Cultural allusion

" Haunted by tribal memories"

Alludes to her ancestors - 'haunted by them' emphasising she cannot escape them and they shaped her

Repetition of thousand

a thousand campfires in the forest are in my blood"

conveys many stories and memories of her people are apart of her- campfires symbol of stories and Dreamtime

Symbolism

Repetition of fire and heat

Symbolic of stories and Dreamtime  aboriginal identity

Negative Imperative statement

“Let no one say the past is dead”

Enhances the idea of exposing the truth and ownership of culture

Omission of articles contrasts the use of articles

“Easy chair...electric heater” ---“the trees… the stars… the bush”

exposes Noonuccal's ability to remain grounded and apply a strong sense of purpose to her culture despite colonisation, which is represented by the omission of articles, which in turn, establishes a sense of futility.

Strong sense of ambivalence

"we are one with all old natures lies known and unknown"

Articulates the dilemma which indigenous people feel about their past - connected to the lost and known culture.

CHINA …WOMEN:

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Themes:

1984 – anthology ‘Kath Walker in China’ Australian delegation to china in attempt to med ties between the countries Not politically charged – momentary poems

1. INTERCULTURAL CONNECTION – presence of culture within another 2. WOMEN FOUNDATE PROSERITY – women brings about prosperity and allows maturation

TECHNIQUE connotation of “high peaked” and “stand tall”

QUOTE “High peaked mountains” … “Stands tall,”

IMPACT/EFFECT conveys a sense of confidence and strength, coupled with the extended metaphor of “China” as a “Women”, reveals the dominance, strength and independence of China as a successful country

personification (“breasts heavy”)

“Breasts heavy with the milk of her labour”

exposes china as being symbolic of bringing prosperous life.

youthful connotations

“Pregnant with expectations” … “weeping wildflowers”

encapsulates the transition of young china into a mature and successful country.

personal pronoun

“The Great Wall Twines itself… “Like my Rainbow Serpent”

exposes Noonuccal's ability to connect her culture within another. “my” implies a heavy sense of cultural ownership as well as it’s presence within China.

peaceful and vivacious connotation of ‘sleep’

“The ancient dynasties sleep”

coupled with the understanding of Indigenous culture generates the idea that similar to Indigenous culture where it is understood that ancient ancestors remain alive and present within nature, it is clear that Chinese culture believes the same as their “ancient dynasties sleep.”

ENTOMBED WARRIORS:

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Themes:

1984 – Kath walker in China Tells the story of Qin Shi Huang (first emperor of china Commissioned artist to create series of clay warriors in order to protect him in the afterlife

1. SACRIFICING LIFE FOR IMMORTALITY 2. FUTILITY 3. VULNERABILITY IN DEATH

TECHNIQUE Cumulative Listing

QUOTE “cavalry, archers, generals, swords lances, spears”

IMPACT/EFFECT reveals the length the Emperor was willing to go to in order to remain important in the afterlife. Also establishes a sense of status as the list exemplifies the elements that are at the Emperor’s disposal. Moreover, the listing of the arsenal is symbolic of the Emperor’s vulnerability in death.

Alliteration

“careful and clear detail”

generate a phonetic rhythm of preparation as well as elucidating to the lengthy and meticulous dedication to immortality.

Verb + Nefarious Tone

“plotted his death”

exposes the Emperor’s awareness of mortality as well as building a sense of fear in the face of death.

Protective connotation

“all guarded his secret”

foreshadows the Emperor’s secrets which are revealed later as “his fear [and] insecurity” emphasising the idea of vulnerability.

Verb + caring connotation

“the Earth Mother Nursed her son”

Emphasises further the idea of vulnerability as the Emperor was nursed and cared for by the earth, revealing his weakness despite his powerful portrayal.

Tone shit + Enjambement

“until, by chance...revealed his secret...exposed… his fear, his insecurity”

encapsulates the futile ending to the Emperor’s efforts for immortality. Further, the tone switches to capture the ironic nature of unveiling the tombs, further emphasising the futile nature of the dedication to immortality.

Frey-tag structure

SUNRISE ON HUAMPU RIVER:

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1984 – Kath walker in China Momentary poem Juxtaposition between cultural and modern city life

Themes:

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF PLACE 2. MAN-MADE BEAUTY 3. CULTURE VS MODERN LIFE

TECHNIQUE Simile

QUOTE “Fussy tugs, like clucking hens Shooing their sister boats, Out of their way.”

IMPACT/EFFECT Compares the natural world of chickens to the modern city of boats and how they are similar which reflects the beauty of the Huampu River

Metaphor

“The sun rises over the horizon, Streaking the river With reflections of gold.”

Presents and how despite the busy horde of boats fills the river, the sun brings out the natural beauty of the river

Repetition of There

“It’s busy boats Going from there to there.”

Presents the repetitive nature of the boats moving around the river without aim and the busyness of the water

Simile

“Transport boats Link together, like strings of beads, Cluttering the waterway.”

Compares the modern boats on the river to the cultural representation of beads and how Noonuccal presents the cluttering of the waterways as beautiful rather than cluttering of boats showing overpopulation

A LAKE WITHIN A LAKE:

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1984 – Kath walker in China Captures landscape and culture

Themes:

1. DISTINCT APPRECITAION FOR LANDSCAPE 2. ADMIRATION AND RESPECT FOR MANMADE AND NATURAL LANDSCAPE

TECHNIQUE Vivid imagery and Positive descriptive language.

QUOTE “We reach the island, where lotus plants cover the calm waters. Where water lilies, settle daintily on their water stems”.

Visual Imagery negative connotations and symbolism

“The bridge across the island Zigzags its way To confuse demons, Who need straight paths To satisfy their evil intent.”

Personification of moon pagodas.

“Moon pagodas, stand in the outer lake, awaiting the arrival of the full moon, to record its reflection, in the water”.

REED FLUTE CAVE:

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1984 – Kath walker in China Popular tourist attraction in Guilin China

IMPACT/EFFECT The description of the ‘calm waters’ and the water lilies that ‘settle daintily’ convey a tranquil mood and suggests that the beauty of the natural world can positively influence the mindset and emotion of an individual. the demons symbolise those wishing to do harm to the natural environment, the negative impact of this could have is conveyed through the negative connotations associated with visual imagery created in the stanza. resigned and reflective as she laments on her connection between her two worlds.

Themes: 1. SIGNIFICANCE OF PLACE 2. CULITRE + BELEIFS

3. FAMILY + HOME

TECHNIQUE Personification

QUOTE “I did not expect to see you in Guilin, my Rainbow Serpent”

Personification Allusion

“My Rainbow Serpent, Spirit of my Mother Earth.”

Allusion

“My Rainbow Serpent”

Personification of reed flutes.

“Perhaps I have strayed too long In this beautiful country; The reed flutes are playing a mournful tune”

Colloquial language Rhetorical question Personification

Allusion

“Have you travelled all this way to remind me to return home? Uluru, your resting place in Australia, Will not be the same without you. “ “Perhaps, you are but one of many guardians Of earth's peoples, Just one,”

IMPACT/EFFECT The personification of the land in reference to the dream time stories that the rainbow serpent made the land. The allusion of the rainbow serpent as the mother earth furthers the aboriginal dream time stories linking to the creation of the world Reflecting back to her aboriginal heritage in the dream time story of the Rainbow Serpent Creates a personal relationship ...