The Shifting Heart

by Richard Beynon

the universal theme of a persecuted minority is here applied to the sufferings of an Italian immigrant family settling in a resentful Melbourne suburb. What the critics say: "A study of the psychology of racism and its victims" - Oxford History of Australian Literature "this Australian play won a prize in the Observer Play Competition and it is easy to see why. For it is a strong play set in strong words; and strongly played, it leaves a strong imprint on the imagination." -the Observer "A piece of theatre which is exciting, funny and intensely moving." -Daily Herald "Has irresistible warmth and a compelling sincerity that makes it an experience not to be missed." -the Star "A back-porch view of an immigrant family trying to sink their racial pride in a hostile suburb." -Daily Mail "Something very near greatness." -Evening News



the universal theme of a persecuted minority is here applied to the sufferings of an Italian immigrant family settling in a resentful Melbourne suburb. What the critics say: "A study of the psychology of racism and its victims" - Oxford History of Australian Literature "this Australian play won a prize in the Observer Play Competition and it is easy to see why. For it is a strong play set in strong words; and strongly played, it leaves a strong imprint on the imagination." -the Observer "A piece of theatre which is exciting, funny and intensely moving." -Daily Herald "Has irresistible warmth and a compelling sincerity that makes it an experience not to be missed." -the Star "A back-porch view of an immigrant family trying to sink their racial pride in a hostile suburb." -Daily Mail "Something very near greatness." -Evening News

Genres: Plays, Fiction, School, Read For School

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Quandale Dingle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine. The first half of the book was mind numbingly boring, the second half just pissed me right off. I like how the book tackles racism from back in the day, it’s a very raw and real issue. However, this book is very clearly a product of its time, having being written in the ‘50s. There are many scenes where husbands are physically and emotionally abusive to their wives and it’s played off as a joke, or the wife ‘being hysterical’.

Spoilers, but Clarry!? Omfg Clarry pisses me off sooooo much. This asshole grabs his HEAVILY PREGNANT wife be the wrist, belittles her, harasses her mother, DRUGS her with sleeping pills, SHAKES her VIOLENTLY, and HITS HER across the face after HER BROTHER JUST FUCKING DIED because “she was being hysterical”…
WTF?
WTF DO YOU MEAN SHE WAS BEING HYSTERICAL!??
She’s heavily pregnant, just got drugged by your bitch ass, was just in an argument with you for being racist and abusive, AND she just found out that her brother died. So while she’s crying you GRAB and RESTRAIN her and she tells you to let her go and tries to get you to get off of her and you hit her!
And then she starts going into labour and you decide to dip out cause “she’s soooooo unreasonable”.

And then, when you come back the next day, you have the AUDACITY to try and PHYSICALLY ASSAULT her father WHOS SON DIED less than 24 hours ago, still being angry at your wife, and expecting her to be the one to apologise!??
And then he decides, ‘hmmm you know what, I actually do wanna be a father.’ So she goes over to the labour room, forces his wife who JUST GAVE BIRTH to apologise to HIM.

And then….
Omfg.
And then he has the Fucking audacity to NAME THE BABY.
Not with his wife.
No, he wasn’t even in the same fucking room as her.
He just decides that even though SHES the one who just gave birth to a WHOLE ASS CHILD righter after HER BROTHER DIED that you get to be the one to name the kid.

Oh but he named the kid after the dead brother, so therefor everything’s good!
Yeah. This is played off as a good ending.
Wtf dude I hate Clarry so much.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dark for a Year 9 text! Powerful play to work with though. Anachronistic context from 1960s Australia, but sadly, plenty of correlations in the 21st Century. Will be interested to see how it works.

[Nandi K · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright. It is a good source for any research on Australian Immigration. I wasn't a great fan of the plot.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

With an interesting strain of 'true blue Aussie' nationalism (and racism) on the rise, this book does ask the question of just who can be considered Australian and comes up with some interesting answers as the foreign born characters hold to the Australian ideals of 'fair go' and equality more than many (though not all) of the 'blood' Aussies.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw and simple but a strongly relevant play. The Shifting Heart follows the day of a life of an Italian Immigrant family, who after 8 years in Australia, still deal with racism. Richard Beynon really captures the psychological consequences of discrimination and its victims. Recommended for mature teenagers to adults and can be used as an insight into the life of a 1950's immigrant family.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read, although it didn't blow me away. It deals with the very serious issue of racism and it opened my eyes and showed my how bad racism really is. This book is actually a play and shares the message of racism very well.

[Calum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad tale of our countries' past. A well written and significant play with raw, believable characters. A small monument to Australian history and literature.

[lillian horton]

Really enjoyed the look that this had on society. Very interesting to read in play form.