herself, though there is one particular event which really makes her think about her culture. John Barton's death makes Josephine realise that her culture and her family is not so bad. She realises that others have it much worse than her. Eventually Josephine decides, "You can't hate what you are apart of." At first Josie thought that her background stopped her from being herself but later realises that her culture makes up who she is and that she cannot break free of it. This change in perspective is also shown through the annual "Tomato Day." This is an expression of the Alibrandi family's heritage. Initially Josephine is ashamed of her family's yearly ritual and would hate it if anybody found out about it, but in the end states that she will always take part in it because it is part of her culture and her culture makes up her own identity.
             Another important discovery Josephine Alibrandi makes in the novel, in relation to culture, is about her own multiculturalism. At the beginning she described the confusion she felt when kids in primary school used to ask her what her nationality was. She shows her uncertainty and frustration in not being totally Italian and not being totally Australian either. Throughout the novel however, Josephine seems to sort out her frustration and confusion, as she makes discoveries. She realises that she and her family are not just one nationality but are both Australian and Italian. She knows that she cannot totally escape her Italian culture, "simply because like religion, culture is nailed into you so deep you can't escape it". Josie shows her understanding and certainty about her identity at the end "I'm not sure whether everyone in this country will ever understand multiculturalism... but the important thing is that I know where my place in life is."
             Jacob has a great significance on Josephine's life, teaching her some important life rules and mat...