The Influence of the Bush on European-Australian Identity in Australian children's literature

  • Sandie Penn La Trobe University

Abstract

This study argues that the Australian Bush - the native landscape - is still considered as an opponent to European-Australian characters in literature, despite its central place in identifying Australia. Indeed, that opposition becomes the key aspect of the portrayal of an Australian identity. In particular, it examines how European-Australians narratives, not yet comfortable with the challenges of the Australian Bush, therefore present this tense relationship as character-forming and identity-defining.
Published
2007-10-19
Section
Emerging Voices