Issue Details: First known date: 2019... 2019 A Look Back in Doubt. “Confessions of a Heretic” : Multicultural Literature in Australia
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'It is argued that the emergence of ‘multiculturalism’ in Australia during the Nineteen-eighties was almost entirely determined by political considerations. An application of the concept to literary culture was not anticipated. Nor was there a discourse of migrant or ethnic literature before post-war immigration.

'As part of the Australia Council’s decision to sponsor a literary culture of ‘New Australians’ it encouraged the creation of a journal for multicultural literature, Outrider. This article is an attempt to characterise a group of perceived ‚multicultural writers’ by raising doubt about their real or assumed status. It is true they employ highly individual creative imagination and variations of literary style by questioning the nature of migration (often without being migrants themselves). However, such writing is hardly unique to inherent characteristics of   ‚multicultural aesthetics’. Formally and thematically these authors’ language frequently employs a wide range of elective affinities, alienation techniques or correlative analogies. They can hardly be considered ‚minority writers’ of limited literary genius. In truth they are creators of sophisticated poetry and prose by overcoming (or ‘integrating’) foreign language restriction.  To them migration is not merely a subject or theme: it is a consciousness manifesting itself in literary form and style. The best ‘migrant writing’ invokes dimensions of alienation shared by a readership whose cultural dislocation is not confined to refugees, asylum-seekers or social outcasts. In the contemporary global end game, migration has become a shared state of mind.

'A brilliant and complex linguistic approach to ‘multicultural writing’ has been argued by Australian sociolinguist Paul Carter. He rejects the negative view of immigration as a form of displacement. Applying his well-balanced analysis of “migrant aesthetic” dialogue promises not only “a new kind of history”. In the end it means refining a new, distinctively migrant poetics.' (Publication abstract)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Coolabah A Tribute to Serge Liberman no. 26 2019 16839741 2019 periodical issue

    'All the contributors to this memorial issue of Coolabah were close to Serge Liberman and each has written in the way they have felt fit to honour Serge’s legacy as a writer, medical practitioner, intellectual, his profound humanity and understanding of human nature. Serge left behind him what we call “a golden wake” for others to follow. His life and work are an example to us all of passion and humanity. He will not be forgotten.' (Susan Ballyn, Elisa Morera de la Vall Introduction)

    2019
    pg. 12-32
Last amended 20 Jun 2019 11:02:40
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