Types of Changing in "Looking for Alibrandi" Essay

“My mother was born here so as far as the Italians were concerned we weren’t completely one of them. Yet because my grandparents were born in Italy we weren’t completely Australian.” (p. 7) “It makes me feel I will never be a part of their society and I hate that because I’m just as smart as they are.” (p. 8) “The room isn’t like the living rooms of my parents… but I like it. Because my mother and I are stamped all over it.” (p. 10) “Telecom would go broke if it weren’t for the Italians.” (p. 11) “We tune into each other very well. Maybe because it’s always just been the two of us.” (p. 14) “Sometimes I think he is a myth. As far as the world is

Many writers explore the notion that cultural differences may inflict feelings of disconnection for their central characters. This is shown in the two texts ‘Neighbours’ and ‘Migrant Woman on a Melbourne Tram’, as both protagonists struggle to cope with their newly exposed environment. Despite this, we learn that it can be resolved through the acceptance of one another, yet others may remain to dissociate themselves from society.

These constant reminders of differences as well as stereotyping made it incredibly hard for Gouvrnel, Wei-Lei and all migrants to belong somewhere other than what their physical appearance may indicate. By Gouvrnel recalling this story to the readers it make us think and learn about the impact and implications migrants have to face when coming to Australia and the teasing, bulling and hardships they were forced to face. On multiple occasions she recalls being in tears and asking herself why she “couldn’t move back to Delhi,” difference in physical appearance and were we originate serve as indicatory of difference that can result in very stereotypical grouping, making assumptions purely based on looks as well as exclusion, preventing migrants from feeling as if they belong.

We can presume from the numerous emphasized lines indicating Australia’s uniqueness, that the distinctiveness of Australia is the main reason for the persona’s perplexing attachment and love for her country.

The Changeable nature of life affects us all somehow. Whether it be moving to a new city, having children, or losing people that we love, it can affect people in many different ways. For example, in the novel, the main character

Change is good. Santiago doesn’t realize this message applies everywhere. As he walks an unfamiliar path to find an unidentified treasure, he doesn’t recognize the fact that many changes are occurring throughout him. He put a lot into faith during his journey as he went from a man of routine and order, to becoming a man of new experiences all because of a dream. This is only one example of a change he went through. There are many more that he underwent, each with a different story.

Inspired by the contrast in clothing between flesh showing Melbourne women of the 1960’s and the black-clad, veiled women of Southern European migrants “Migrant Woman on a Melbourne Tram” through a variety of poetic techniques explores the concept of isolation, confusion and unfamiliarity experienced by a migrant. “Impossibly black” the woman finds herself in a tram struggling to navigate the streets of Melbourne with a scrap of paper in hand only with an address and destination that she cannot comprehend. The repetition of the word “impossibly” is the most noticeable verbal element that highlights the quality of the migrant standing out against the crowd therefore creating a contrast between two very different cultures. Disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly placed in an unfamiliar way of life or a set of attitudes also known as a culture shock is an experience that is common to migrants. This is seen as the woman “hunches sweltering” to express a sense of discomfort and the lack of ease that the woman feels due to the culture shock that she cannot understand.

In the memoir ‘Pointing North’, Paolo Totaro finds that despite having barely any memories of Italy and having spent most of her life in Australia, “fitting in” is not easy. Paolo Totaro pointed out that many of her hardships originated in the schoolyard – “They too figured it was too hard to pronounce, so Greasy Wog became my moniker.” She noticed that throughout her child, many people overlooked her feelings and simply labelled her as a “hysterical Italian”. Paolo stated that she doesn’t “remember any other non-Aussie kids at school” and wondered whether she would have felt as if she belonged if she were not the only foreigner. She found that as others treated her as an outsider, she clung

Komninos in ‘Hillston Welcome’ exposes us to this voice through the repeated rhetorical question “what are ya?” depicting the typical Australian attempt to categorise an individual based on how they look. Note that she asks ‘what’ rather than ‘who’ - this reflects the rareness for an Australian to meet an educated individual, in this case a poet. This idea of stereotyping people is further depicted through Komninos’ use of Australian vernacular such as ‘bikie’ and ‘truckie’. Knowing that Komninos is of Greek origin, the cultural ‘White Australian’ mindset towards ethnic people is evident through the social and cultural stereotypical voice represented by the bartender. Therefore, responders are confronted and are forced to reflect upon their own ideals and values towards ethnic people, challenging themselves and considering perspectives of the world around

An individual’s search for identity is fuelled by a need to find a place in the world where we belong, thus not belonging consequently leas to a feeling of alienation and isolation. This notion is explored through May’s journey seeking to connect with her racial heritage, her idea of understanding and acceptance. The old man Graham, May encounters at the mission expresses an Aboriginal perspective on the contemporary relationship between the two societies. “no one to talk about it. And they die, kill em selves, than those governments just put another numba, nother cross in they list. They still trying to do it, kill us of, tell us that its always been they plan.” They hybrid vernacular communicates the hatred through the ethnolect strongly marked by the non –standard features of the pronouns in “they list,” “they plan.” Graham’s diatribe reflects him as an individual demonstrating the marginalisation of the minority groups. Similarly, Armin Greder’s picture book The island demonstrates the notion concerning the duality of belonging with its inherit prejudices and xenophobic attitudes expresses the majority’s deliberate exclusion of ‘the other’ outside

Change can be seen as a form of transformation or conversion. A form of change can be seen in “Victory Lap” by George Saunders, a short story written in such a way that the events that are enrolling throughout the story are being processed and told through the minds of three main characters. Having the perspective of each character allows us, the readers to get a much greater understanding about them and to make a better character analysis. Having said that, this story is simply about a girl, Alison getting kidnapped by an unnamed kidnapper. What were really captivating were the changes spotted on characters as the conflict progresses. One character in particular is very intriguing and his name is Kyle. One of our main character, Alison

Looking for Alibrandi is a prime example on how young adults can be educated on the stresses and losses of life and through reflection they can set you free. Looking for Alibrandi focuses on one girl and the shame of her family’s irresponsibility’s have brought on them. Through her difficult school year, her absent father, falling in love, losing friends and discovering the truth about her identity. Melina Marchetta opened doors to the complications of the first generation Australian born ethnic female identities. Marchetta identified the anxieties of being different and acceptance which comes with being unfamiliar. She shows the reader themselves that people who are alike Josie are normal and mainly important and not alone.

Change is something you are probably familiar with. In “Beneath the Smooth Skin of America,” Scott R. Sanders talks about many changes in his life. The author starts the story looking throw the eyes of himself as a child. As a child he remembers that all that was in his sight was all he could see. The author’s best example of this is he says, ”Neighbors often appeared…where they came from I could not imagine” (27). As the author begins to see more by leaving the area he was around so often he starts to see more and more things. He started moving around to different places and started seeing the things that he had not see before. The author points out many things that he began to see like the stores

The poem The Change written by Tony Hoagland, carries a strong message, yet using western, modern examples. The poem is a story, written as if the poet is retelling it to a friend or just another person. It can also be taken, as if the poet is reflecting on an event that had just occurred. Hoagland seems to be writing to an American. Although it seems he is writing from a white, American male perspective it is unclear if he is writing to a specific ethnicity or just Americans in general. This is important to note since his message, whose over arching theme is change, has used the example of a African American female tennis player to show a moment of change. Hoagland uses extended comparisons, especially similes, to explain that change is inevitable

This change is a positive and uplifting change of self for the protagonist in this novel.