The One Day Of The Year
The One Day Of The Year, an influential play written by Alan Seymour, takes a contentious look at ANZAC Day and the emotions provoked amongst the people of Australia in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The reactions of the day amongst the characters were very similar to the emotions developed amidst the people in that era. ANZAC Day was officially designated as a day to recognise the efforts of those who fought for Australia and New Zealand in Gallipoli, and to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for our country between 1915 and 1918. This sacred day has not always been acknowledged as a day of solemn remembrance. In the 1950's, in particular, this day was recognised as a celebration, when all the old diggers got inebriated at the local pub. Today the people of Australia observe that ANZAC Day has steadily acquired additional layers of symbolism and meaning over the previous years. The One Day Of The Year portrays two crucial aspects of contexts. The historical context of the play demonstrates the era of change in the world that Australia was beginning to be affected by. The social context in the play establishes a powerful portrait of generational hostilities. Alan Seymour created two principal characters that refle
They put Australia on the map, the ANZACs did. ct and challenge very different ideologies, as a result of the generational tensions. He Alf is stereotyped by Alan Seymour to construct a character to represent the typical Australian bloke formed behind the changing views of society. Throughout this essay I will endeavour to outline the main issues surrounding ANZAC Day in accordance to the play's perspective of ANZAC day and the reality of the event. He is unsure of how to be a hero because he does not feel like one. Hughie is empowered to expose the "fraud of ANZAC Day"One character influenced Hughie in particular, Jan. Wacka is a wise character, but is only a man of very few words. As the script progresses Wacka grows and starts to challenge Alf and his beliefs. " (Alf, pg 73) Seymour positions the reader to react to Alf's ramblings regarding his right as a "bloody Australian" in a negative manner. This quote proves that Jan causes further tension in the Cooke Family. He respects his father's experiences, but not necessarily his views. The controversial play, The One Day Of The Year, differentiated Australians according to the viewpoints and beliefs they once, or may still, obtain.
Common topics in this essay:
ANZAC Day,
Alan Seymour,
War Wacka,
Hughie Alf's,
Cooke Family,
Alf Hughie,
Hughie Jan,
anzac day,
Zealand Gallipoli,
Hughie Seymour,
Prime Minister,
alan seymour,
day alf,
day day,
views anzac day,
principal characters,
views anzac,
bloody australian,
father-son relationship,
world war,
throughout play,
resented lack education,
textually evident throughout,
evident throughout play,
anzac day alf,
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Acceptance Essays
