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Exploring Australian National Identity: Heroes, Memory and Politics
Citation
Donoghue, J and Tranter, B, Exploring Australian National Identity: Heroes, Memory and Politics, Emerald Publishing Limited, United Kingdom, pp. 184. ISBN 978-1-78756-506-7 (2018) [Authored Research Book]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2018 Emerald Publishing Limited
Official URL: https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/book/10.1108/97...
Abstract
This book explores the attitudes and values of Australians, analysing how Australian national values are promoted and reflected by heroic figures (both living and dead) who are identified as important and influential.
Who are the ‘heroes, saints and sages’ that exemplify the Australian national character? Who do Australians, as citizens of a settler society, nominate as their contemporary heroes? What is the role of colonial and post-colonial figures regarding contemporary Australian identity? This book reassesses the influence of convicts, bushrangers, Ned Kelly, the ANZACS, sporting heroes, and the nation’s most ‘important people’ in terms of national identity.
Sporting ‘heroes’ such as Don Bradman, and historical figures like Ned Kelly might be expected to feature prominently but the authors identify other nationally important Australians, and gauge how well they symbolize Australian national identity. While collective ‘heroes’ such as the Anzacs are acclaimed in popular conceptions of national identity, Australians also identify with particular ‘heroic’ individuals who personify practical aspects of the national character and ‘mythscape’, including well known federal politicians, surgeons and scientists.
Item Details
Item Type: | Authored Research Book |
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Keywords: | Australian identity, convicts, free settlers, bushrangers, Ned Kelly, Don Bradman, Anzacs |
Research Division: | Human Society |
Research Group: | Sociology |
Research Field: | Social change |
Objective Division: | Law, Politics and Community Services |
Objective Group: | Community services |
Objective Field: | Citizenship and national identity |
UTAS Author: | Donoghue, J (Dr Jed Donoghue) |
UTAS Author: | Tranter, B (Professor Bruce Tranter) |
ID Code: | 126832 |
Year Published: | 2018 |
Deposited By: | Office of the School of Social Sciences |
Deposited On: | 2018-06-27 |
Last Modified: | 2018-12-03 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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