David Fussinger

The Representation of Race and Indigeneity in Samson and Delilah and Coonardoo David Fussinger

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject English - Literature, Works, grade: 1,7, University of Cologne, course: Reading Post-colonial Australia , language: English, comment: Eine von Prof. Dr. Ashcroft mit 1,7 ausgezeichnete Hauptseminararbeit. Er ist Experte auf dem Gebiet des Postkolonialismus und befand sich im Sommersemester 2011 auf einer Gastprofessur an der Universität zu Köln. , abstract: When we think of Australia, we associate certain images, experiences or even stereotypes with the country that is at the same time a continent, located on the southern hemisphere of the world. Indigenous people, the so-called Aborigines, modern and popular cities, beautiful beaches and an exotic flora and fauna and certain sights, such as Ayers Rock for example, account for a stereotypical representation of the land which in fact holds more appeal if you only take a closer look. These associations are very superficial and originate from a Eurocentric perspective, a term that will appear again later in this essay. Whether you regard Australia and its outline on the map as being on the southern hemisphere for example, simply depends from which angle of vision one looks at the country. Since the emergence of the Mercator Atlas, a certain view of the world has been established. Today, this view is still perceived as dominant and correct and is supposed to reflect reality. It's the underlying ideology of western European countries whose ideas of structuring the world by mapping and timing have also influenced the Australian continent. More importantly, the colonists defined their identity by demarcating them from other cultures. What didn't conform to European standards wasn't perceived right and therefore had to be changed in order to adapt to conventional norms. Even today the connection between Australia and its former ruling British center and the impact of colonialism on post-colonial Australia becomes visible in everyday life and is also manifested in cultural dis