The novel, Looking for Alibrandi, by Melina Marchetta, conveys cultural boundaries that are evident in Australian society. Through the actions of the characters, these cultural boundaries are crossed. These characters are subject to discrimination due to their culture, the strict parental expectations, cultural traditions and events, morals and beliefs. The importance of relationships, family and respect, academic competition, sexual maturity, and identity and freedom are the main attitudes and values portrayed. Melina Marchetta's purpose is to educate the readers on the discrimination of today's society of a cultures morals, values, beliefs and traditions, and that crossing boundaries brings greater self knowledge leading to growth and emancipation. The reader is encouraged to fell satisfaction as Josie Alibrandi discovers her true identity and breaks free of her mothers and grandmother's cultural boundaries, guidelines and strict expectations.
             The lack of interaction between two cultures is a cultural boundary still evident in the Australian Society. This cultural boundary is represented through many of the characters in the novel, such as Josie and her peers at school. The Italian's and the Australians try and keep separate, and there is always a lack of interaction between, relationships and communication is always minimised. "We were all caught up in the middle of two societies." This cultural boundary is crossed through the unaccepted relationships between Italian Josie and Australian Jacob, and Nonna Katia and Marcus Sandford. Nonna Katia crossed these cultural boundaries when she had an affair with Marcus Sandford and consequently, it resulted in a pregnancy and birth to her daughter Christina. This lack of interaction between cultures can lead to racism and intolerance. "They were all wogs. They seem to be everywhere." Josie crossed this boundary and hit her with her science book. &quo...