Homework 14/02

Read the article titled Larrikin has had is day.

Identify the two different representations that are in this article as we did with Clancy of the Overflow. These will be the two major binary oppositions.

Place these two representations into a table and record words or phrases that help you identify that representation.

Write a paragraph explaining whether or not you agree with this representation and why. You should refer directly to the words and phrases you have found, making a comment on how these have influenced your understanding of the topic.

Larrikin	Well - Behaved
Boisterous	Values are shared with liberal democracies
Goofball	Fair
Cheeky	Liberalised
Mischievous	Helping mates
Badly behaved	Committed to the ideal of Australian nationhood
Rebellious	Hard working
Irreverent	Multicultural

I do not agree with the representation of Australians being larrikins as not everyone in the community is 'boisterous' and 'badly behaved'. Australians are more commonly portrayed as a multicultural and fair society, where it is a country of strong mateship. The representation of Australians being cheeky and rebellious may be true  for some people, especially for those of the younger generations, but cannot be a general definition for a true Australian. If anything, Australians belong more towards the 'well-behaved' category, where they are hard working, fair and that 'their values are shared with liberal democracies'. 

These two representations have influenced my understanding that certain celebrities, such as Hugh Jackman, can mislead people from forming a stereotypical opinion that all Australians are supposedly 'larrikins' by judging from Jackman's general personality trait. 

Decoding Versions of Australian Identity: Activity 2 Homework

ACTIVITY 2 (Synthesising and evaluating)

Using your notes to help you, write about 200 words analysing the representation of Australia and Australians promoted by the advertisement.

The representation of Australia and Australians promoted by the advertisement is portraying a large sense of patriotism, whilst placing the nation in the spotlight. Australians are portrayed as one of the kindest and fairest people. An example of this is, “I fight wars but never start wars”, suggesting that Australians has never purposefully started a war but will enter war to take over the responsibility of being the peacekeepers and allies. This shows that Australians are not only brave and selfless, but that they are also not violent and aggressive. Australians are also represented as being a multicultural country with the line, “My brothers are the Smiths, the Wilsons, the Santarellis, the de Costis, the Wongs and the Jagamarras”, as it refers to people from all races and all kinds of cultures that accommodates in Australia. Lastly, the most apparent messages, “I believe the world is round and down under is on top” and “Australia is the best address on Earth”, clarifies the point that Australia is the best and the country is the centre of the world. 

Week 2 Homework

›  Go to http://blogoscoped.com/prejudice and look over the map. Read each part carefully

›  Answer the following questions in detail:

›  To what extent do you agree with the representations on the map? (give an example)

 I do not entirely agree with the representations on the map. These representations are just the biased and stereotypical version of these countries. For example, it is true that there are people who have an 'obsession with sport', however, this does not apply for every Australian. There are some countries where I agree more than the other, such as France. It is true that it is a place for romance and that they possess a degree of sophistication. However, once again, this is just a label. 

›  Do you find this amusing, helpful or outrageous? (Give reasons for your response)

I find this amusing at first then a bit outrageous after. The representations on this map is quite offensive and disrespectful for some countries when over exaggerating in a negative way. In addition, like the title states, it is prejudiced where not the entire population of a certain country behaves the way as it is represented. 

›  What do you think about the comments about Australia? If you were asked to provide evidence of this what would you say?

I think the comments made about Australia is true to a level but does not apply for every Australian. Not everyone is 'direct' or have an 'obsession with sport'. If I were asked to provide evidence of this, I would say, "Just get to know more Australians and see for yourself." 

›  How accurate is the title ‘Prejudice Map’? Or should it be called ‘ Stereotypes Map’? What is the difference between these two words?

The title, 'Prejudice Map' is more accurate for 'outsiders' rather than the natives. The difference between 'prejudice' and 'stereotypes' is that prejudice is when you judge or assume things about another person based on no reason or experience, whereas stereotype is when people judge you and classify you as a group. 

Look at this map of Australia and answer the questions below:

   1.     Do you think that this is an accurate representation of Australia? Explain your reasons

I think that this is not an accurate representation of Australia as all the labels are negative and is disrespecting the nation. Australia is represented as a very dangerous place when it is actually not.

   2.     Who do you think may have drawn up this map? What do you think their knowledge of Australia is like?

I think someone who is incredibly prejudiced would have drawn this map. I think their knowledge of Australia is low.

   3.     As an Australian with an inside knowledge of the country select three areas (e.g. Sharks, Steve Irwin and Man eating koalas) and change them to a more accurate representation.

DERANGED GUNMEN – TASMANIAN DEVILS

SHARKS/MOSQUITOS – GOLDEN BEACHES

NOTHING – ULURU