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Australian Literature (LIT302)
Semester 2 / 2012

Texts

y separately published work icon The Getting of Wisdom Henry Handel Richardson , London : Heinemann , 1910 Z901329 1910 single work novel (taught in 25 units)

'A coming-of-age story of a spontaneous heroine who finds herself ensconced in the rigidity of a turn-of-the-century boarding school. The clever and highly imaginative Laura has difficulty fitting in with her wealthy classmates and begins to compromise her ideals in her search for popularity and acceptance.' (From the publisher's website.)

y separately published work icon The Club David Williamson , 1976 (Manuscript version)x402003 Z1506538 1976 single work drama (taught in 14 units)
y separately published work icon The Doubleman Christopher Koch , London : Chatto and Windus , 1985 Z388681 1985 single work novel (taught in 8 units)

'Clive Broderick, guitar-teacher and occultist - the Doubleman of the title of this acclaimed novel - is speaking of power, and of a realm beyond reality. This is a fable of the sixties, when shared belief-systems crumbled, and the spiritual bazaars of today opened up. Christopher Koch's theme is illusion; and all his characters are bound by it. The Rymers are an electric folk group enjoying mounting success in Sydney. Their producer, Richard Miller, came under Broderick's spell during his youth in Tasmania; so did the guitarists Brady and Burr. Now, years after his death, Broderick's presence remains with all three. Through his disciple, Burr, it will lead to nightmare.'

Source: Publisher's blurb (HarperCollins, 2013 ed.)

y separately published work icon Voss : A Novel Patrick White , London : Eyre and Spottiswoode , 1957 Z872480 1957 single work novel (taught in 33 units)

'Set in nineteenth-century Australia, Voss is the story of the secret passion between an explorer and a naïve young woman. Although they have met only a few times, Voss and Laura are joined by overwhelming, obsessive feelings for each other. Voss sets out to cross the continent. As hardships, mutiny and betrayal whittle away his power to endure and to lead, his attachment to Laura gradually increases. Laura, waiting in Sydney, moves through the months of separation as if they were a dream and Voss the only reality.

'From the careful delineation of Victorian society to the sensitive rendering of hidden love to the stark narrative of adventure in the Australian desert, Patrick White's novel is a work of extraordinary power and virtuosity.'

Source: Random House Books (Sighted 21/09/2012)

Description

This subject presents a study of the distinctive works of the Australian literary imagination. It focuses on the characteristic features of Australian literature and the question of how to define it (and how it defines us). We shall observe the struggles and concerns that have helped shape Australian culture, particularly in the light of a spiritual sensibility at grips with a secularist society. Works studied may include the short stories of Henry Lawson, fiction by major novelists such as Patrick White, and selected poems from a range of authors.

Week 1: Introduction to Australian literature

Week 2: The Short Stories of Henry Lawson

Week 3: Henry Handel Richardson, The Getting of Wisdom

Week 4: The Poetry of James McAuley

Week 5: Patrick White, Voss

Week 6: Patrick White, Voss

Week 7: The Poetry of Les Murray

Week 8: The Poetry of Les Murray

Week 9: David Williamson, Dons Party

Week 10: David Williamson, Dons Party

Week 11: Chris Koch, The Doubleman,

Week 12: The Poetry of Philip Hodgins

Week 13: The Poetry of Philip Hodgins

Assessment

9 short discussion response papers, one 2,000 word essay, one 1 ½ hr Exam

Other Details

Offered in: 2011, 2010, 2009
Levels: Undergraduate
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