English flashcard revision - 7SOG
Nanas death stories of “life”, “traditions” and “heritage” lost/ photo “quietly” put in suitcase
At the event of Nana’s death, the stories of her “life”, “traditions” and “heritage” is lost as her photo is “quietly” put into the suitcase. Throughout the play, the suitcase is utilized as a performative device that represents transition, memories and connects Aboriginal knowledge, culture, family structure and spirituality. By removing Nana’s photo from the wall, the playwrights reveal how grief is so common that even families have a process for dealing with loss. Here, the suitcase is a visual representation of every day trauma that is both overt and subtle.
women describes room in parents house with “trophies”, “pennants” and “memories of weddings, birthdays[..]and family visits”
During photograph story, The Women describes the room in her parents house with “trophies”, “pennants” and “memories of weddings, “birthdays […] and “family visits”. Here, the photos are momentums of the “good times” and a celebration of love and family which is hinted at in previous scenes with Nana’s funeral. This interconnection between family, pride, language and sorrow throughout the whole play represents the multiplicity of experiencing grief.
“the letters of the alphabet appear on her dress” she “attempts to evade the letters”
During Black Skin Girl, “the letters of the alphabet appear on her dress”. At first, what seems like a childlike game turns into panic as The Woman becomes increasingly uneasy, confronting the audience as she “attempts to evade the letters”. Throughout this scene, the Woman sings in her own language as she painfully attempts to protect herself from her oppressors. Contrasting between the English alphabet and the Woman’s resistance, tension is highlighted between the violence of colonizers and strategies of resistance.
Aunty Grace marries an “Englishman” and moves to “london”
Woman, Dad and Nanna participate in “peaceful” and “silent” protest march
As Aunty Grace married and “Englishman” and moved to “London”, the Woman, Dad and Nanna participated in a “peaceful” and “silent” protest march. Here, Aunty Grace, the manifestation of people whose identity links to their oppressors, the action of marrying an Englishman is especially poignant to the family, as England and London catalyzed the colonization of Australia therefore Aunty Grace is seen abandoning indigeneity, land and culture. As her family participate in a peaceful march after Vockes court report, the playwrights draw on the audiences knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait islander death in custody and reference to “police cameras” as fear increases but however making the bravery of reciting more admirable.
Woman delivers court report with “no hint of emotion”
“finally breaks out”
eventually describes “limp body”
The Woman delivers a court report about Vockes death in custody with “no hint of emotion” in Mug Shot, this dispassionate tone reveals her difficulty in expressing emotion until she “finally breaks out” describing Vockes “limp body” before he was “pronounced dead”. At this time, The Woman cannot hide her grief or pain as the movement along the seven stages of grief in constant. The combination of a flat, disconnected monotone with the hard truth of Vockes story highlights the apathy and brutality with which he had to contend in his final moments.
“collection of images” depict the “phases of Aboriginal history” including images of “protection”
In the scene the Gallery of Sorrow, a “collection of images” depicts the “phases of Aboriginal History” which includes images of the “protection” era. Through this multi - media installation the playwrights cement a link between the seven stages of Aboriginal History and the seven stage of grieving. During this time, Australia used the guise of “protection” to assume control over Indigenous peoples lives and systematically replace their culture with British culture. The decimation of Indigenous Australian culture occurred via whole languages being destroyed forcing Aboriginal Australians to even think in English causing ultimate colonization of thoughts.
“the woman places the suitcase down at the feet of the audience”
During the plea, “the woman places the suitcase down at the feet of the audience” and explains that “these are my peoples stories. They need to be told.” Through this action of placing the suitcase at the feet of the audience, The Woman is shifting all responsibility The Woman carried alone as the audience have witnessed her pain and suffering and now have the responsibility to carry it. This emphasizes the need to recognize the ongoing and systemic racism still present in todays society in order to progress and grow towards a balanced and accepting environment for all.
