Ways of reading the text
Looking at gender roles in a text is a useful way of analysing underlying beliefs and values. Aboriginal cultures are very conservative, in that they do not allow for the rules to change. Each generation is the custodian of their tribes’ stories and lore, all of which allow the people to survive successfully through good seasons and bad. The roles of men and women are clearly defined. Where power lies may not be so obvious. Power may lie in the ability to take action, to have authority over others or to have one’s opinions valued.
In Unaipon’s essays the most important roles are given to men: the Mooncumbulli (wise old man), the Rainmaker and Medicine Man. In the glossary, there is no word for ‘wise old woman’. Unaipon also invariably uses the male gender to describe ‘The Great Spirit’, whose earthly messanger, Narroondarie, is also male. When a marriage is to be arranged, the mother is consulted, but it is the uncle who undertakes the mission to find the suitable partner. These are all indications that Aboriginal society was a patriarchal one. Classically, in a patriarchal society a woman’s proper place is to be an obedient wife. Women must be attractive, in order to gain a husband, but their sexuality is seen as a dangerous thing which must be controlled.
The story, “Narroondarie’s Wives” reflects this patriarchal role. The unnamed spirits of two women have been trapped in various plants and animals because many great men have ‘fallen victim’ to their ‘wonderful’ charms as they travel to the spirit world. This symbolises the need to control women’s sexuality because it creates a sense of weakness in men. Narroondarie too becomes their ‘victim’ and marries both girls. The wives, however, break the law by eating fish which is only allowed for men. They run away and are ultimately drowned by Narroondarie as punishment for their crime. This punishment reinforces the need for wives to be submissive to the law and their husbands. It maintains the patriarchy.
Activity
Students should re-read “The Love Story of the Mar Rallang” and “Narroondarie’s Wives” and answer the following questions:
- How are the characters of the sisters in both stories similar?
- What is the significance of having named male characters in the stories? How are their characters similar?
- How does “The Love Story of the Mar Rallang” reflect the patriarchal nature of Aboriginal society?
Comparison with other texts
Anthologies of myths and legends often present abridged versions of the actual stories. They follow the traditional pattern of exposition, conflict, climax and conclusion, with perhaps a short coda as well. Unaipon’s stories do not always adhere to this convention. They can be very discursive, e.g. “The Mischievous Crow and the Good He Did”, with multiple narratives included within the one tale. The actual natural phenomenon the myth is meant to explain can be cursory, almost a coda, possibly because the stories are not just creation myths, but also describe the complexities of Aboriginal relationships and law. There is still very much the element of a tale being spun out to while away the evening around the fire.
Unaipon’s myths were not the first collection of such stories to be published. In 1923 W. J. Thomas produced an anthology of Aboriginal myths. Comparing the two collections is a revealing exercise. Thomas’ stories, though eloquent, are very stripped down and straightforward. In contrast, Unaipon’s stories reveal a richer imagination and a greater use of Aboriginal phrases which make for a more authentic text. Thomas’ introduction makes it clear that these are simple stories from a simple people; he does not share Unaipon’s vision of his myths belonging to a wider sea of stories and being of equal merit to them.
Activities
1. Students should read Thomas’ introduction to his myths, then undertake or address the following:
- Make a list of the terms used to describe Aboriginal people. Which would be unacceptable today?
- What is the overall impression given by Thomas of Aboriginals. Use quotations to prove your answers.
- How is this introduction different to Unaipon’s preface and short essay, “Aboriginal Folklore”, which serves as a kind of introduction?
2. The students should read, the Whale and Starfish myths from both anthologies then:
- Draw a graph which charts the plot of Thomas’ version. The X axis is Time, the Y axis is Tension. Mark which sections comprise the introduction, conflict, climax and resolution. Summarise the plot on the chart next to each section. Is it possible to do this easily with Unaipon’s version? Why or why not?
- For Unaipon’s version, create a story web which shows how the characters’ interact with each other. Inspiration may be a good program to use to create your web.
- Thomas’ story is very linear, Unaipon’s is not. Which story is easier to understand? Which story gives a better understanding of Aboriginal culture? Why?
Evaluation of the text as:
Representative of Australian culture
This book is representative of Australia in two ways. Most obviously it documents parts of Aboriginal culture, making it available to a much wider audience of European Australians. Its publication history is also indicative of Australian culture at the time. The Englishman, William Ramsay Smith, was able to take Unaipon’s work and publish it as his own, with no acknowledgement of the source of his text. Aboriginal people were of little regard in mainstream Australian society of the 1920s and 1930s. It was long believed that, as an inferior people, they would die out, but when this did not prove to be the case, assimilation into white society was deemed the best solution. Traditional culture was to be abandoned. Publishing Myths and Legends under William Ramsay Smith’s name is an example of the discriminatory treatment Aboriginal people received at the time, and which Unaipon worked to reverse.
1938, eight years after the book’s initial publication, was the sesquicentennial of the founding of the NSW colony, and celebrated more widely as the founding of the nation. Miles Franklin and Dymphna Cusack’s satire on the celebrations, Pioneers on Parade,makes it clear that not only were Aboriginals not considered worthy of inclusion in the festivities but even convict ancestors were to be forgotten. Australian history was rewritten as white and free. The publication of Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines under Unaipon’s own name helps to create a more accurate picture of Australian culture.
Significance to literature/the world of texts
This book is a significant achievement because it is the first book by an Aboriginal author to be published. It contains valuable information about Aboriginal culture, particularly that of the Ngarrindjeri people. Most ground-breakers have to be extraordinary in order to overcome the cultural norms which they challenge. Unaipon is no exception. He is not just literate, an achievement in itself at the time, but a literary person with a grasp of anthropology, science, religion and literature acquired by very few. He synthesises his knowledge to produce a text which is not just a collection of stories, but a treatise to raise the level of respect Aboriginal culture was held in at the time. There are many collections of folktales, myths and legends and equal numbers of anthropological studies, but very few which contain both and are authored by one from the culture itself under examination.
Identifying and justifying language/stylistic techniques for specific narrative or dramatic purposes
Although Unaipon states that he uses only ‘the simplest forms of expression’ to tell his stories, he actually uses a wide range of vocabulary and does not hesitate to use polysyllabic words. He also uses the archaic ‘thou’ and ‘thy’ in his characters’ dialogue.
Activity
Students should consider the following passage from “The Mischievous Crow”:
The little Bat put in an appearance, sitting down on a branch a little above the Falcon, grasping it by a hook on its wing, allowing himself to hang head down near the ear of the Falcon. He said: ‘I saw a stranger, it seemed by his actions that the(y) had committed something wrong not long while ago. I was up the valley. I saw an object, first I thought it was my friend the Owl who sits on the other side of you. This something went up into the sky so wonderfully quick, then when it reached a certain height it shot forward like a meteor, leaving a shower of light behind. I became so afraid that I hastened to my den and stayed there for awhile. So when I thought that all danger had passed, I came out to seek my friend, the Owl, to warn him of this unknown danger, this dreadful enemy, this wicked monster, making his way down the Murray. I saw you sitting here, and I also saw the Owl sitting beside you, so I availed myself to inform you of this occurrence. (p. 102)
Students should:
- Highlight the main clause and subordinate clauses of the sentences within the passage. What is the effect of so many complex sentences on the student’s response as a reader?
- Explain how Unaipon creates tension and menace in the approach of the mischievous Crow, as described by the Bat. The students should consider techniques such as repetition, use of adjectives and similes, the archetypal fear of the unknown and the reactions of characters.
- Create a storyboard which recreates the approach of the Crow and the actions of the Bat. It may be hand drawn or electronically produced using a program of the student’s choice.
- Re-write the passage using less complex sentences and vocabulary. Which passage is more interesting to read? Why?
(ACELA1563) (ACELA1565) (EN5-3B) (EN5-7D)
Extension Activity
The ‘Dust Echoes’ website contains a large number of Aboriginal stories which have been animated. The animations have minimal dialogue and are accompanied by a brief written synopsis of the plot. The students should choose one of these synopses and rewrite it in an expanded form, attempting to emulate the style of Unaipon.
(ACELT1815) (EN5-3B)
Discussion
The students should discuss the reasons Unaipon has chosen this style of language. It may, among other reasons, be linked to his purpose in collecting the stories.
Rich assessment tasks
Oral Presentation
David Unaipon is represented on the Australian fifty dollar note. Students are to prepare a five minute presentation where they will try to persuade their audience as to who should be the next Australian Aboriginal to feature on a banknote or coin.
In their presentations the students should:
- Define their criteria for a good candidate to go on the banknote. The Reserve Bank of Australia website may be helpful with this.
- Give a summary of their candidate’s life and achievements, linking them to the criteria they have established.
- Use visual material to supplement their presentation.
- Use persuasive techniques such as rhetorical questions, expert opinions etc. to enhance their presentations.
- Use oral presentation skills such as variation in tone, pace, pitch and pausing to make their audience listen attentively.
Suggested candidates may include, but are not limited to:
- Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)
- Mick Dodgson
- Evonne Cawley
- Mandawuy Yunupingu
- Lowitja O’Donoghue
- The Bangarra Dance Company
At the end of the presentations, a vote could be taken to decide who is going to be on the banknote.
(ACELA1563) (ACELA1565) (ACELA1569) (ACELT1640) (ACELT1641) (ACELY1752) (ACELY1754) (ACELY1749) (ACELY1757) (EN5-3B) (EN5-7D) (EN5-5C) (EN5-8D) (EN5-2A)
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