English Literature Long Essay: No Sugar by Jack Davis
A unique cultural identity is essentially determined by the differences between characteristics and traits with the norms of other cultural groups. It allows the individual within that culture to share many of their common ideologies and traditions, providing a feeling of belonging and self worth. Jack Davis's No Sugar demonstrates the importance of ones identity by exploring the lives of Millimurra family as we follow them in the course of their journey from Government Well to the Moore River Native Settlement. Through their struggle to uphold their heritage, the audience is positioned to recognize the impact of European integration in their way of life. However, the Aboriginal characters in the play are often seen resisting white authority and refusing to submit to the European way of life, subsequently preserving their cultural identity. Using a combination of both verbal and non-verbal elements to depict the virtues of Aboriginality, Jack Davis explores the importance of the inherited traits of their culture and criticises white attempts at cultural conversion (eg. Assimilation policy). He shows that Aboriginal family values, culture, language, inherited traditions and connections to the land, essentially forms the basis of Ab
The strength of the family bond is again displayed in the scene where they are being transported to Moore River. The European impact in dissolving Aboriginal Identity and their way of life is evidently depicted throughout the play. Despite Billy's previous role of the 'black crow', his fellow Aboriginals are acceptant of him and they cannot deny the unity and kinship of their culture shared among their people. 'Gran: I ain't goin' on no train, I'm goin' with Sam and Milly'. Even the male Aboriginals are represented to be innovative, as seen when Sam offers Joe his pocket knife. By using the context of the Great Depression, Davis illustrates the far reaching effects brought about by the failure of the white economic system. Not only does Davis demonstrate Aboriginals are exceptionally capable to provide for themselves, but also suggests that the Aboriginal way of utilising resources is in many respects superior to the way in which whites consume and consequently degrade the land. Practising the Coroboree at the Government camp, an institution of forced conformity, is an act of resistance by refusing to comply to their 'cultural cleansing'. He doesn't even consider gaol to be a shameful thing and makes a mockery out of it by bringing presents back for his family. However, it is evident that the Aboriginals aggressively resist white oppression to maintain their proud sense of cultural identity. Still your country! Not my country, finish. The combination of alcohol, gambling and the bike(foreshadowed) initiates a fight between Jimmy and Sam. ' Rent seven shillings; light, one and threepence.
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Acceptance Essays
