Texts

y separately published work icon Do Not Go Gentle and The Berry Man : Two Plays Patricia Cornelius , Strawberry Hills : Currency Press , 2011 Z1806591 2011 selected work drama (taught in 1 units)

'In Do Not Go Gentle… Scott’s ill-fated Antarctic expedition is a metaphor for the elusive journey of five elderly people facing the final leg of their travels in an aged care facility. Scott’s passage across the Antarctic, as he confronts a landscape of ice and perilous weather, powerfully parallels their courage and inevitable defeat. Yet with unbroken spirit, this funny, angry, defiant group grapple with the big questions of life as they rage against the dying of the light. The Berry Man is a searing indictment of the consequences of war, with the humour and fragile, flawed characters that are a trademark of Cornelius’ writing.' (Publication summary)

y separately published work icon The Wide White Page : Writers Imagine Antarctica Bill Manhire (editor), Wellington : Victoria University Press , 2004 Z1225116 2004 anthology poetry short story (taught in 1 units)
Skating to Antarctica!$!Diski, Jenny !$! !$!Virago!$!
Antarctica!$!Robinson, Kim Stanley !$! !$!Bantam!$!
The brief history of the dead!$!Brockmeier, Kevin!$! UK!$!Hodder Education!$!2007

Description

What stories have been told about the south polar continent since its existence was first hypothesized? What are the genres, themes, motifs and metaphors through which we imagine Antarctica? How have these changed with increasing access to the region? How do writers engage with recent debates about Antarctica, including those relating to the environment, mineral resources, tourism and international politics? This unit offers students the opportunity to respond to these questions by examining a selection of the rich body of texts the continent has provoked over the last few centuries. These may be drawn from a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, drama, diaries, exploration narratives and travel writing.

Assessment

5,000 word essay (100%)

Other Details

Levels: Undergraduate
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