Form and Functions of Aboriginality in Kim Scott’s Benang 'From the Heart'

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2009 , 25 Pages , Grade: 2,3

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

This term paper wants to examine the forms and functions of Aboriginality in Kim Scott’s novel Benang: From the Heart. Published in 1999 as the author’s second novel, it gained great attention and also won the Miles Franklin Award. Kim Scott is a descendant of the Nyoongar people who have at all times inhabited the south-east coast of Western Australia. They used to be a large homogenous group that shared a common language and culture until the first white settlers landed on their continent. Apart from general mistreatment of these people, Kim Scott’s novel illustrates how an institutionalized genocide of them and other Aboriginal people was attempted. The story not only includes individual stories of several Aboriginal characters, but also official documents, newspaper articles, letters and reports. Like that, Scott creates a counter-narrative to colonial history and gives voices to those who were oppressed by legislations and racism.
The paper focuses on one type of Aboriginality, namely Harley’s discovered Aboriginality. This closer investigation includes the other aspects to some extent, as all of them are closely intertwined. In the course of my survey I will try to work out Scott’s way of representing certain aspects and which implications his choice might have for the interpretation of his novel, especially concerning the implications for a construction of Aboriginal identity and for the establishment of a new historical discourse.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The Problem of Defining Aboriginality
• Aboriginality in Benang: From the Heart
  • Facets of Aboriginality in Benang
  • Discovered Aboriginality
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This term paper aims to analyze the forms and functions of Aboriginality in Kim Scott's novel Benang: From the Heart. Published in 1999, this novel offers a counter-narrative to colonial history and gives voice to the Aboriginal people who were oppressed by legislation and racism.

• The complex and evolving definition of Aboriginality
• The impact of colonial history on Aboriginal identity
• The use of narrative and historical documentation to challenge dominant narratives
• The exploration of individual and collective Aboriginal experiences
• The significance of "discovered Aboriginality" in shaping identity

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides context for the analysis by discussing the historical and cultural background of the Nyoongar people and the impact of colonization on their community. It also outlines the term paper's focus on the different forms of Aboriginality presented in the novel.

Chapter 2 explores the challenges of defining Aboriginality, highlighting the diversity of Aboriginal cultures and the impact of colonial narratives on shaping perceptions. It discusses the historical context of the term "Aboriginal" and the evolving understanding of Aboriginal identity.

Chapter 3 delves into the representation of Aboriginality in Benang: From the Heart, examining the various facets of Aboriginal identity portrayed in the novel. It also focuses on the concept of "discovered Aboriginality," highlighting the significance of individual experiences and the process of self-discovery.

The conclusion, which is not summarized here, likely offers a synthesis of the analysis and further insights into the themes explored in the term paper.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This term paper examines the representation of Aboriginality in Kim Scott's novel Benang: From the Heart. Key themes include Aboriginal identity, colonial history, counter-narratives, narrative strategies, discovered Aboriginality, and the impact of colonization on Indigenous communities.

• College: University of Cologne (Englisches Seminar)
• Course: Classics of Australian Literature in English
• Grade: 2,3
• Author: Katharina Dellbrügge (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 25
• Catalog Number: V145012
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640546565
• ISBN (Book): 9783640545872
• Language: English
• Tags: Form, Functions, Aboriginality, Scott’s, Benang, From, Heart