AustLit

Using biographical criticism as its methodological starting point, Kinnane's article discusses Johnston's way of creating fiction out of personal experience, highlights where he departs from fact, and shows how the autobiographical material is used, selected and shaped to fit in with the larger design of the trilogy.

Examines the mode of characterisation prevalent in Australian fiction, a mode which presents character as "the product of social, extrinsic determinants rather than as the expression of an individuated, intrinsic self" (447). Argues that the prominence of this mode of characterisation in Australian narrative tradition undermines familiar assumptions about the centrality of individualism to the the literary version of Australian national or personal identity. The literary convention of mateship is particularly dependent on a representation of character ideologically opposed to the concept of individualism and the individual. Stories by Henry Lawson and Patrick White provide examples to support the argument that character in Australian literature is mainly used as "a way of depicting the intrinsic self, not of the character, but of the society which produces them" (456).

Discusses the growing (and shifting) interest of Australian writers in Asian cultures, religions and philosophies and gives an overview of the representation of Asia in some recent Australian novels. Argues that earlier Australian novels "saw Asia simply as an exotic background for adventure romance", whereas more recent fiction has reflected more complex attitudes towards Asia and has started to explore Asian philosophies and cultures for elements which challenge and clarify the way Australians perceive their "psychic relationship with the universe".

Examines responses to a survey asking contributors to Moorhouse's anthology of short stories State of the Art for biographical details which, however, were not published byPenguin.