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The Australian Legend
A nation's conception of itself is important if only for its influence on the way people act, collectively or as individuals. Like the people of every other nation, Australians think of certain ideals, traits and behaviour as typical of themselves. It is the origins and evolution of these ideas which Russel Ward seeks to trace in his book. In a penetrating analysis of nineteenth-century Australian history he shows how the characteristically Australian traits first found expression most markedly in the frontier life of the nomad pastoral workers of the outback, and how in turn they pervaded Australian literature and Australian life generally.
The author gives a bold and authentic impression of Australia's formative years. The bushmen worked hard in lonely and inhospitable country and it is no wonder that their pleasures were often riotous and profligate. Nevertheless, the life they led bred in them qualities of independence and self-sufficiency, strong sentiments of mateship and a love of freedom and, sometimes grudgingly, of the land itself; and these men handed down a rough-hewn but genuine and uniquely Australian heritage.
Russel Ward draws widely on contemporary literature, both English and American, on documents and statistics, on journals and papers and, perhaps most vividly and entertainingly of all, on Australian folk-songs and ballads for his account.
In a final chapter he places the Australian tradition in the wider perspective of European and American thought and history, and draws parallels between frontier life in America and Australia, particularly adverting to the 'frontier history' of the influential American historian F. J. Turner and its application to American history.
It can justly be said that no Australian who reflects seriously on his country's traditions and history can fail to be awakened to a livelier and more critical awareness of them by this book.
The author gives a bold and authentic impression of Australia's formative years. The bushmen worked hard in lonely and inhospitable country and it is no wonder that their pleasures were often riotous and profligate. Nevertheless, the life they led bred in them qualities of independence and self-sufficiency, strong sentiments of mateship and a love of freedom and, sometimes grudgingly, of the land itself; and these men handed down a rough-hewn but genuine and uniquely Australian heritage.
Russel Ward draws widely on contemporary literature, both English and American, on documents and statistics, on journals and papers and, perhaps most vividly and entertainingly of all, on Australian folk-songs and ballads for his account.
In a final chapter he places the Australian tradition in the wider perspective of European and American thought and history, and draws parallels between frontier life in America and Australia, particularly adverting to the 'frontier history' of the influential American historian F. J. Turner and its application to American history.
It can justly be said that no Australian who reflects seriously on his country's traditions and history can fail to be awakened to a livelier and more critical awareness of them by this book.
283 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 26, 2019
Unwillingly read for a uni assignment.
September 5, 2022
The basic argument of Russel Ward's compendious and--in the third edition--lavishly illustrated The Australian Legend is that the Australian character was shaped by the experiences of the (mostly) men who worked in the Outback in the nineteenth century. The sheep shearers and other workers hired by the squatters--unlike our usage in the US, in Australia this term refers to large-scale and relatively wealthy landowners who ran herds of sheep or cattle--were an itinerant crowd who came to see one another as equals in a struggle against the landowners and distinct from city dwellers. This identification led to a sense of national identity and egalitarianism that has shaped Australians' self-representation till today: the insistence that everyone is as good as everyone else, that everyone deserves "a go," and that eccentric individualism is to be eschewed. Ward makes his case using documentary materials and literary sources, especially The Bulletin, which published essays, stories, and poetry that found a wide readership in the Outback and vigorous promoted the characteristics of its wandering inhabitants.
Ward's case strikes me as well-argued and, as far as it goes, convincing. But there are elements of the Australian identity as it developed across the nineteenth century and into the next that he downplays, and other factors he avoids. Of the former, the most striking is the rampant and vicious racism against Asians, especially Chinese, that was a central feature of this identity. Australia as a "white nation for whites alone" was embedded in Australian politics and culture for a very long time, indeed well into the 1970s; it was expressed by, among other things, the whole popular and pullulating sub-genre of "race war" fiction produced in the twentieth century. Ward treats anti-Chinese racism here and there, but subjects it to no extended analysis.
The other missing piece that struck me is the attitude toward the Indigenous population. Again, Ward addresses this here and there, once remarking a change in the view of them from a "noble savage" reading early in colonization to a later condemnation of them as a degraded and dying race. But again, Australia's record of its relations with its Indigenous population is horrendous and still today has not been fully dealt with; the missing children, the rape of Indigenous women, the quasi-slavery to which many were subjected, all feed into the country's identity too; the very hard work of facing these facts is ongoing, just as we in the US are trying, some of us, to face up to a similar history with African Americans and our Indigenous peoples.
These critiques aside, The Australian Legend remains an enlightening history of one element, crucial, as Ward says, to the emergence of the country that was federated in 1901 and today is one of the most important in the world.
Ward's case strikes me as well-argued and, as far as it goes, convincing. But there are elements of the Australian identity as it developed across the nineteenth century and into the next that he downplays, and other factors he avoids. Of the former, the most striking is the rampant and vicious racism against Asians, especially Chinese, that was a central feature of this identity. Australia as a "white nation for whites alone" was embedded in Australian politics and culture for a very long time, indeed well into the 1970s; it was expressed by, among other things, the whole popular and pullulating sub-genre of "race war" fiction produced in the twentieth century. Ward treats anti-Chinese racism here and there, but subjects it to no extended analysis.
The other missing piece that struck me is the attitude toward the Indigenous population. Again, Ward addresses this here and there, once remarking a change in the view of them from a "noble savage" reading early in colonization to a later condemnation of them as a degraded and dying race. But again, Australia's record of its relations with its Indigenous population is horrendous and still today has not been fully dealt with; the missing children, the rape of Indigenous women, the quasi-slavery to which many were subjected, all feed into the country's identity too; the very hard work of facing these facts is ongoing, just as we in the US are trying, some of us, to face up to a similar history with African Americans and our Indigenous peoples.
These critiques aside, The Australian Legend remains an enlightening history of one element, crucial, as Ward says, to the emergence of the country that was federated in 1901 and today is one of the most important in the world.
January 8, 2018
An interesting if limited appraisal of the rise of Australian nationalism and myth - largely through the lens of popular ballads and poetry of the 19th century. Only in the last chapter does the author speak about the role of imperialism in creating the image of the intrepid settler/bushman! Other similar glaring issues such as racism towards Chinese workers on the goldfields is breezed past without a full treatment. Still, I found this an engaging book full of historical tidbits. Worth a read.
Next I am reading "A New Britannia" by Humphrey McQueen which apparently includes many criticisms of Ward's approach.
Next I am reading "A New Britannia" by Humphrey McQueen which apparently includes many criticisms of Ward's approach.
February 20, 2017
Interesting read - densely concentrated use of first hand sources which tend to break down the texts fluidity and the lack of explanation as to what, exactly, are 'currency lads' and 'government men' left me racking my brain at times. However, if you want to know more about the ideal of Australian nationalism, this would be a book to put on your reading list.
August 30, 2022
I found this to be an informative book, touching on some colorful characters that many of us have heard or read about. I also enjoyed the few ballads that were shared within the book and some of the local areas that I could relate to.
November 9, 2020
A brilliant book explaining how the distinctive Australian identity came into being and what it is based on. Outstanding scholarship, research and analysis. A timeless classic
August 1, 2011
This is one of THE books to read on Australian history. The problem is that it is mostly a myth making effort rather than history. The left creates myths about itself and its place in Australian history. These are grand myths, the sort of myths that keep you going in a conservative country on a cold night.
For all of this books faults such as its teleology and general whiggishness I still like it. It is a good story. It is however a story that is loosing its resonance in Australia.
For all of this books faults such as its teleology and general whiggishness I still like it. It is a good story. It is however a story that is loosing its resonance in Australia.
July 20, 2013
A mythologisation of Australian colonial history that represents and reflects the racist ethos of White Australia in the 1950s.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews