No sugar Essay

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

Postcolonial texts serve as a powerful critique of historical injustices, exposing the lingering effects of colonial exploitation and amplifying the voices of those who have been silenced.

Question 2

intro 2

Answer 2

Set against the backdrop of 1930s Australia, No Sugar (1986), a postcolonial play script, written by Jack Davis, unfolds the harrowing journey of the Millimurra-Munday family as they confront the brutal realities of systemic racism and the oppressive policies of the Australian government.

Question 3

intro 3

Answer 3

Davis has experienced these attempts of subsistence first hand in his life where society upheld euro-centric values and used them as a force to assimilate his indigenous community; his context shaped his perspective which was weaved into his writing

Question 4

intro 4

Answer 4

Davis manipulates dialogue and stage directions to reflect the historical and production context he has to present his condemning perspective. His perspective enforces his critique of the pervasive racism of white Australians, highlights the resilience and resistance of Aboriginal people, and exposes the devastating impact of government policies on Indigenous communities.

Question 5

paragraph 1

Answer 5

Jack Davis’s perspective in No Sugar (1986) is deeply informed by the historical context of 1930s Australia, a period marked by pervasive racism and discriminatory ideologies.

Question 6

paragraph 1

Answer 6

Davis employs a juxtaposition between Aboriginal and white worlds and has the effect of scorning the officiousness and callousness of the regime of A.O. Neville, Western Australia’s Chief Protector of Aborigines. In Neville’s diatribes, though it is cloaked in officialdom and the “scientific” guise of eugenics, it is engrossed with racism.

• As Neville instructs Jimmy that the “native’s entrance” is at the “back”, it alludes to segregationist policies mandated by the Aborigines Act 1905 (WA).
• Davis’ includes Neville’s directive to segregate Aboriginal people from white Australians to illustrate his condemning standpoint towards the institutionalised racism inherent in these policies, reflecting a broader societal attitude of racial superiority and exclusion.

Question 7

paragraph 1

Answer 7

Furthermore, as the Millimurra family is displaced by white authorities, Jimmy protests stating that the white people in the town “don’t want us ‘ere’” and doesn’t want “our kids with their kids” in school, highlighting the widespread racism and discrimination faced by Aboriginal people.

Question 8

paragraph 1

Answer 8

The separation of “our” versus “their” and the lack of “want” of the aboriginals reveals Davis’ condemning perspective of how there is community hostility towards Aboriginal people and their exclusion from educational and social opportunities.

Question 9

paragraph 1

Answer 9

This practice is portrayed in the play through the Millimurra-Munday family’s displacement, illustrating the harsh realities of government policies designed to control and marginalised Indigenous populations.

Question 10

paragraph 1

Answer 10

Through character dialogue, Davis utilises historical context which reveals his critical perspective on the systemic racism and discriminatory government policies of the time, demonstrating their profound impact on Indigenous Australians.

Question 11

paragraph 2

Answer 11

The production context of No Sugar (1986) significantly shapes Davis’s condemning perspective on the resilience and resistance of Aboriginal people, reflecting the socio-political climate of Australia in the 1980s when the play was first performed. This period saw a resurgence of Indigenous activism and a growing recognition of Aboriginal rights, influenced by events such as the 1967 referendum, allowing legislation for Indigenous Australians. The play was released during a time of significant cultural and political change, and Davis draws on these contemporary movements to emphasise the strength and determination of Indigenous people in the face of systemic oppression.

Question 12

Paragraph 2

Answer 12

Davis’s portrayal of resistance is vividly illustrated through the character of Joe. As Joe plans to go against the white’s regime, he informs his mom that he is “running away [tonight]”.

• This dialogue, “running away”, reflects his defiance against the oppressive forces trying to control his family.
• This line captures the movement of resistance, showcasing the urgency and resolve of Joe’s resistance, symbolising the broader Indigenous struggle for autonomy and justice.

Question 13

Paragraph 2

Answer 13

Furthermore, once Joe runs away he is “immediately on high guard” and “grabs his doak”.

• ## This stage direction visually reinforces his readiness to resist and fight back against systemic oppression.The doak is a traditional noongar tool for hunting and his possession of one highlights his willingness to physically confront authority to protect his family; was using an indigenous tool symbolises aboriginal resistance.

Question 14

paragraph 3

Answer 14

As Mary gives birth in the Moore River Settlement, Mary has an anguished cry, screaming that the head of hospital, who is white, “[is not] having [her] baby!” and worried that “trackers” will have him and “kill him”.

Question 15

paragraph 2

Answer 15

These moments illustrate Joe’s resilience and the broader spirit of resistance within Indigenous communities, demonstrating how Davis’s perspective, shaped by the production context of the 1980s, underscores the importance of cultural identity and the enduring strength of Aboriginal people despite ongoing challenges.

Question 16

paragraph 3

Answer 16

Jack Davis uses the historical context of the Stolen Generation Policy and the general government oppression towards the indigenous community to express his disapproving perspective on the devastating impact of mistreatment.

The Stolen Generation Policy aimed to assimilate indigenous children into white society by severing their cultural and familial ties, causing profound trauma and disconnection.

Question 17

paragraph 3

Answer 17

• This dialogue vividly illustrates the horror and helplessness experienced by Aboriginal families facing the threat of having their children forcibly removed.
• This scene reflects the real historical practice of removing Aboriginal children under assimilation policies and the deep emotional and psychological impact it had on families.
• Mary’s desperate plea underscores the fear and resistance of Indigenous people against such oppressive measures.

Question 18

Paragraph 3

Answer 18

Additionally, the play depicts the destructive impact of systemic oppression on individuals like Jimmy Munday. His alcoholism is portrayed as a consequence of the severe stress and trauma inflicted by the government’s oppressive policies. When the family is preparing for dinner Jimmy “takes a drink”.

Question 18

Paragraph 3

Answer 18

Through these elements, Davis critiques the government’s assimilation policies and highlights their long-lasting cyclic impact on Indigenous individuals and communities. His perspective, shaped by the historical context of the 1930s, reveals deep empathy and outrage, calling attention to the ongoing consequences of these historical injustices.

Question 18

Paragraph 3

Answer 18

This stage direction is significant as it highlights abnormality of his action of drinking frequently even before eating sustenance, illustrating his reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism.

This detail reflects a broader pattern of substance abuse among Aboriginal people as a response to the cumulative pressures and losses inflicted by systemic racism and marginalisation.

Jimmy’s alcoholism eventually leads to his death, symbolising the devastating personal toll of these oppressive policies.

Question 19

Conclusion

Answer 19

In No Sugar (1986), Jack Davis masterfully uses the historical and production contexts to shape his condemning perspective that enforces the critique of the pervasive racism of white Australians, celebrates the resilience and resistance of Aboriginal people, and exposes the devastating impact of government policies on Indigenous communities.

Question 19

Conclusion

Answer 19

By drawing on the historical context of the 1930s and the socio-political climate of the 1980s, Davis provides a deep analysis of the impact of these contexts on the lives of Aboriginal people. Through the characters’ dialogue, actions, and stage directions, Davis reveals the enduring legacy of colonisation and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

Question 19

Conclusion

Answer 19

No Sugar (1986) is not merely a play about the past; it is a powerful commentary on the need to confront and address the historical wrongs that continue to shape the present, urging its audience to reflect on history in order to create a more just and equitable future.