*Feel free to just read the into and conclusion... The middle can get quite boring in my opinion. Also, keep in mind, this is just a draft and there are things that need fixing - I know that. Having said that, if you see a way to better this piece, please comment or tell me on AFC.. Thank-you ♥
“Working Class Man”
The ‘Aussie Battler’ mentality motivates Australians to remain strong in even the most adverse situations. Jess (insert last name) investigates our icon’s influence on Australian literature and art.
Aussie’s have long been known for their loyalty, hard-work and determination. In fact, it’s this ‘Aussie Battler’ mentality that is so largely responsible for the achievements of everyday Australians, as it gives us the strength and will-power necessary to get the job done.
The ‘Aussie Battler’ icon goes way back, right to the time when our ancestors first landed here as convicts. Against the odds, they survived the harsh Australian landscape, and eventually they carved the golden belief of what it is to be ‘true blue’.
We constantly see our Politician’s on TV reminding us of who we are – it helps and motivates us to get through the tough times, just like we always have. This is particularly evident in Anna Bligh’s recent speech to Queenslanders, in light of the devastating floods, “We are the ones that they knock down, and we get back up again” – truer words never spoken.
In fact, this mentality is not only portrayed through everyday actions and politics, but also through Australian literature and movies. A good example of this would be the novel My Brother Jack by George Johnston. Set just after the First World War, the story follows brothers David and Jack as they embark on separate journeys of self discovery in order to accomplish their dreams. For David, this means sacrificing all he holds dear to become a journalist (and later, a war correspondent). Yet Jack goes for the more typical Aussie dream of joining the army in order to defend his country. This novel is the perfect example of the ‘Aussie Battler’ mentality to never give up and fight to the end.
Similarly, the 2003 award winning movie Swimming Upstream is chock full of hardships, tears and betrayal – and an Aussie’s mission to swim through it all and bring home the gold. In the film, main character Tony, doesn’t get on with his father Harold and is constantly put down for not conforming to the ‘tough Aussie bloke’ ideal that so many young men are presented with. Ironically though, in a bid to turn the tables in his favour, Tony trains harder than ever before aiming for victory and displaying the true characteristics of an Aussie
Battler.
This icon can be seen in Swimming Upstream as the characters constantly face obstacles they must tackle. For Tony, after taking his father’s ridicule, cruelty and favoritism towards John (Tony’s brother), standing up for himself and fighting back is a massive feat, one that he is determined to accomplish. After Harold chooses to coach John separately and thus turning the brothers against each other, Tony trains himself for long hours in the pool, displaying his will power and preparing himself for the race where he will not only face his brother, but also finally confront his father. After winning the race, we see Tony’s pride and strength shine through as he says to John “I didn’t win against you mate, I won against him”.
This mentality is consistent with My Brother Jack when David uses the last of his money to buy a type-writer as opposed to the pencils his mother wanted him to buy for art. When he comes home with the machine, chaos erupts in the household as his father screams at him “Get that infernal blood contraption out of this house and either come back without it, or not at all”. Fed up of conforming to his father’s outdated mentality, David takes a stand and chooses to move out, thus demonstrating the ‘Aussie Battler’ notion through his bravery and ‘don’t let ‘em get you down’ attitude.
Furthermore, throughout the novel, Jack is constantly faced with health problems that prevent him for getting deployed overseas. He reveals his determination to fight for his dreams, when towards the end of the book he writes in a letter to David “I have been classified unfit for overseas service. However I’ve got two officers pulling some strings” thus indicating that Jack will stop at nothing to pull through his obstacles and come out triumphant.
The ‘Aussie Battler’ mindset is reflected in the constant achievements made by your everyday typical Australians. This can be seen in Swimming Upstream when after training mercilessly, Tony’s efforts pay off as he wins and becomes the Australian Champion. He receives the ultimate reward when Harold is finally forced to recognize Tony’s achievements and praises him, admitting “You’ve got guts”. Tony doesn’t stop there though, after hearing about the possibility of getting a full scholarship into Harvard via the sports program, Tony perseveres, training harder still, keeping his mind-set firm and focused and is rewarded when he one day receives a letter in the mail informing him of his success. Tony has gone from being a no-hoper from a middle/lower class family to having opened multiple doors that lead to bright futures, all because of his perseverance and determination – qualities that make up a true ‘Aussie Battler’.
Additionally, in the novel My Brother Jack, David also displays the ability to persist until he reaches success. This can particularly be seen when he is offered a job by one of the leading newspapers in Melbourne, despite him only being 16 years old. Upon finding out David’s age, the editor Mr. Brewster exclaims “You write well boy. For a youngster, very well. I enjoy your pieces… Have you considered journalism as a career?” Therefore, this indicates that David’s writing occupation has already begun to flourish, due to his efforts to persevere as a journalist.
Another movie outlet for the ‘Aussie Battler’ icon is the incredibly popular movie The Dish. Set in Australia, the movie follows the story of how during the Apollo 11 mission, the Australian techies team up with NASA to create the first ever satellite interface. During their journey, the team faces multiple challenges and the road is full of obstacles. However, due to their continued perseverance and refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer, the team emerges successful, thus portraying the ‘Aussie Battler’ attitude of never giving up.
Australian literature and art will continue to display the ‘Aussie Battler’ icon, as they already have through My Brother Jack and Swimming Upstream. In both of these exhibits, bravery, perseverance, fighting spirit, strength and determination are all incredibly valued traits of the working class man. The ‘Aussie Battler’ notion has become an entrenched part of our society, as it evolves with us. Despite what some may believe, this concept will remain a deeply engraved part of the Australian Identity; in fact our beliefs are so closely linked with the ‘Aussie Battler’ mentality, that if we were to lose it, we would lose what it means to be Australian.
*It's over now, I promise =D
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