Eddie Mabo: Hero or Anti-Hero? Analysis of the Biopic 'Mabo'

Koikis the one. Is Eddie Mabo a hero? Essay Feedback What mindset do we, as a class, need to have to feedback?

FEEDBACK Stronger contentions are needed and it is essential to link back to this contention throughout the response. Paragraph and essay structure is important - we will be looking at this today. More sophisticated responses consider WHY - Why does Perkins present Koiki this way? Address definitions in the introduction - what is a hero? Make your quotations WORK for you - what is the significance of the quotation? Pick out interesting words/phrases. Be specific - avoid generalisations and provide specific examples from the text. VOCABULARY Make sure to use vocab words in the correct context - do I really understand the meaning of this term? SPAG Importance of checking/editing work Possessive apostrophes Capital letters Spelling of character names e.g. Rachel POSSESSIVE APOSTROPHES Possessive apostrophes show that a person, animal, plant, object or thing owns or possesses something (which could be tangible, such as a car or red hair, or intangible, such as a characteristic, e.g. courage, business principles). E.g. Koiki s shoes. Koiki s dreams.

An introduction should tell the reader exactly what your paper will be about and how it will be structured. INTRODUCTIONS CONTENTION - the point that will be made throughout your essay. Your one sentence answer to the question that will be argued and supported throughout the body of the essay. Your introduction should have a broader outlook that the body of your essay. This is the time to consider broader ideas such as the author s purpose or intention.

In the biopic Mabo directed by Rachel Perkins, the eponymous character Koiki (Eddie) Mabo is sometimes emphasized as a hero even though he doesn t possess heroic qualities. Eddie also has many character flaws that highlight that Eddie is just an ordinary human being. Throughout Eddie s lifetime there have been a few struggles that depict how he is seen as a character. Perkins believes it is important for Eddie to stand out as a character to shows his struggles and how he has depicted change. Eddie is seen as a hero for what he has achieved, and not particularly in the way that changed for change.

Mabo is a biopic directed by Rachel Perkins and released in 2007 which follows the life of the eponymous character Koiki Eddie Mabo, who struggles against the discrimination against Torres Strait Islanders from his immigration to Australia in the 1950s to his death in 1997. Eddie fights for land rights initially for his own land on Murray island, but then extends the case to include all indigenous people of Australia. Although Eddie does win the case posthumously, and attitudes to indigenous people are greatly changed, Eddie Mabo is not a hero. He possesses many character flaws which adversely affect his cause, and Perkins uses filmic techniques to ensure that message in conveyed to the audience. Despite Eddie being an anti-hero, he still manages to be the catalyst for change, as he is the one to gain indigenous recognition.

1. Bonita makes Eddie a better person in Mabo. Discuss. What would your contention be? What other elements would be important to include in the introduction? ZOOM OUT - How does this fit with Perkin s overall idea/purpose?

1. Its not an easy path, Eddie, the road of the activist Does Perkins suggest that Eddie s path was easy or not? What would your contention be? What other elements would be important to include in the introduction? ZOOM OUT - How does this fit with Perkin s overall idea/purpose?