Themes of Destiny and Family in 'Looking for Alibrandi'

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI THEMES

RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IN A PARAGRAPH From the moment of birth, an individual s future is already mapped out. In your answer consider, what influences affect our lives. How much are we products of our environment? To what extent is our future shaped by our families? What role do our friends play in determining the sort of person we become?

DESTINY/IDENTITY Write your own definition of what destiny means to you. In the novel, identity can be seen through: A journey undertaken by many of the characters toward understanding more fully who they are and where they belong. Josie s sense of self is built largely around the relationship she has with her mother she finds it hard to reconcile the fact that she has never met her father Josie s cultural background is Italian, the world of her schooling and peers is Australian she wants to be accepted by the elite group, but feels oppressed by the traditions and customs of Nonna Katia. She is called names (wog, ethnic) and there is the assumption that one day, she will marry someone of Italian background. Josie s father s appearance reinforces her growing sense of alienation from those around her to the point where she has to decide whether she can, or even wants to, reassess who she is in light of the discoveries she makes about her family s past. What each character realizes at the end depends on their individual acceptance of their situation and the extent of their desire and need to change. Josephine finally appears ready to accept her family and past whereas John decides there is no individual choice other than the taking of his own life.

QUESTIONS Josie says, 'I m not going to be trapped like them'. Does Josie seem trapped, or 'cursed'? Why does Josie react strongly to other characters referring to her ethnicity or using the word 'wog', even though she uses the word and is sometimes critical of her Italian heritage? Add another five (5) pieces of evidence (quotes) to the list on the previous slide.

FAMILY The family unit has a profound influence on the individual. Write a paragraph response regarding the many ways family impacts on you. Consider rules, customs, religious beliefs, aspirations, income, environment, and many other factors which are central to the experience of family. Info: Josie experiences an erratic relationship with her mother, one minute it will be meaningful conversations and the next they will be screeching at each other. Josie doesn t have a father living at home she handles it on the outside by trying to appear tough (quote p8) Add three (3) more points of your own. How does Michael appear to be adapting to his role as a father? What impressions of Josie s family do you form? What reasons does she have for wanting to 'bust out of family life? Do you sympathise with her feelings? Produce a diagram that analyses Josie s relationship with the main members of her family.

PAST, PRESENT AND TRADITION 'You can t let the past rule your life', declares Josie, yet for the Alibrandi women, especially Christina and Nonna, the past is a very powerful influence on the present. Produce a 'life history' time line for Christina and Nonna that lists significant events in their lives. At the end of each time line write a discussion of how these events affected their lives as we see them in the film Imagine that Marcus Sandford writes Nonna a letter. Write the letter you think he might send. What positive and negative aspects of tradition does the novel present? Find 5 pieces of evidence (quotes) which fit in to this theme. Discuss why each quote is relevant.