Comparative: BP3 Flashcards
TS
Both texts appear to center on historical events, yet their contemporary publication signifies a deeper purpose beyond mere storytelling. Rather, the authors’ intent lies in etching these disregarded histories onto the public consciousness and establishing connections with societies that still hold much to discover regarding these matters.
Whitechapel elab.
Amidst the turmoil of the LA riots, D’Aguiar painstakingly uncovers America’s ingrained racial bigotry, harking back to its origins in the abhorrent practice of slavery, all while portraying the ruinous outcomes of mindlessly conforming to accepted conventions in society. Helpless and weak on his deathbed, Whitechapel questions the extent to which ‘the master’s daylight can continue to roam [his] nights’, whilst lamenting the ‘pain’ that constantly tries to ‘resurrect’ itself through ‘memory’.
Whitechapel analysis
Through the dichotomisation of the dominance and control exerted by the ‘master’s daylight,’ against the powerlessness of the enslaved, whose ‘nights’ are subjugated to cyclical patterns of physical and emotional torture, D’Aguiar encapsulates the epiphany experienced by Whitechapel upon his realisation that his obedience to slavery has backfired. As he reflects on Chapel’s escape, Whitechapel recognises that there are multiple slaves who have exposed the inherently unjust nature of slavery behind its idealistic facade. Although the memories of enslaved individuals are filled with pain, trauma and sorrow, D’aguiar, through Whitechapel, challenges the perpetuation of the master-slave relationship, whilst emphasising the desire for emancipation in the hope that oppressive regimes will eventually crumble.
Whitechapel context/segue
Despite Whitechapel’s proclamation that slavery will evidently be overcome, readers can’t help but draw connections between the discrimination and violence depicted in the text and the prejudice and mistreatment prevalent in the culmination of the Black Lives Matter movement within the media.
Suitcase elab.
Contrastingly, Enoch and Mailman persist in portraying a more hopeful perspective on how potent and oppressive dynamics can be surmounted. As the play draws to a close during the emotional scene of ‘Plea’, the woman plants the word ‘reconciliation’ into the ‘suitcase’ before gently placing it ‘down at the feet of the audience’ and exiting the stage.
Suitcase analysis
As a manifestation of the collective suffering and intergenerational trauma within the First Nations community, the symbolic act of the suitcase being placed directly in front of the audience represents a physical passing of responsibility, further crystalising the notion for Australians to take greater action to alleviate the past atrocities faced by many First Nations. In addition, the attempt to fit the word ‘reconciliation’ into the suitcase amplifies the woman’s desire for healing and understanding between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous population. Despite being depicted as the powerless figure throughout most of the play, the woman demonstrates a profound sense of agency and resilience, intensifying her longing to reconcile despite the weight of historical injustices.
context 2
This longing is further reinforced through the added scene Walking Across Bridges, where she defiantly declares that ‘we can’t go back now,’ as hundreds march closer to First Nations reconciliation. Following Paul Keating’s official acknowledgement of Indigenous dispossession in the Redfern Speech of the early 90’s, the added scene provides the playwrights with a lens through which they can reflect on the ongoing progress in reconciliation without implying a definitive conclusion in the play, thus underscoring the imperative for continuous efforts towards change.
CS
Ultimately, Enoch and Mailman illustrate that the past inevitably shapes the future, introducing obstacles which can impede progress. Subsequently, they encourage individuals to consistently challenge prevailing norms and glean wisdom from historical blunders to thwart the recurrence of cyclic historical patterns within society.
