![]() ![]() Changing this way of life would be dangerous for them because it means they have to completely reconsider the way they live. As much as we can look at these ideas and realise how flawed they are, for Dungatar it is a way of life to which they’ve stuck for decades. Most of the women in the town either care for children or stay at home, reflecting the outdated idea that it is the role of the man to work, and the role of the woman to be a homemaker. For instance, the McSwineys live in absolute poverty, yet Councilman Evan and his family are relatively wealthy. For Dungatar, we see massive economic divides and strict expectations around the role of men and women. Isolation tends to create its own culture, practices, and social standards. These communities are often isolated, and don’t really communicate with the outside world unless it’s about trading their livestock into the cities. This is a tough lifestyle, and as such small towns and a lot of room for livestock is preferable. Its main industry is pastoralism, which refers to the grazing of cattle, sheep, and other species such as goats. A general rule to help us understand the Outback is that it is way out in the centre of the country, far away from urban Australia. The ‘Outback’ doesn’t exactly have any borders, so which regions of Australia count as part of the 'outback' will be slightly different from person to person. Ham’s fictional setting of Dungatar is a perfect example, as it is placed in the Australian Outback. However, at Lisa’s Study Guides, we acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which this study guide was written, edited, and published, and pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging. This discussion broadly reflects the experiences of colonised Australia because that is the frame which Rosalie Ham provides. Australian Geography and the Great Depressionīefore we delve into talking about this historical theme, I’d like to first acknowledge that Australia was colonised against the wishes of its First Nations peoples, and also recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. The main message I want you to take from this section is that understanding 1950s Australia is essential to understanding Dungatar. After all, Dungatar is a fictionalised community, but its references to post-World War II Australia are very real. By ‘historical context’, all we mean here is the factual background which tells us why Rosalie Ham wrote her novel, and why she chose the particular setting of Dungatar. But somehow, it just does, and it’s what makes The Dressmaker one of my favourite books of all time.īefore we move on to looking at The Dressmaker’s plot and delving deep into analysis, it’s really important to understand the main historical context which underpins the novel. Not every book can do that - and, seemingly, on a surface level, you wouldn’t expect a novel about fashion and betrayal to do it either. Ham’s novel is layered with meaning, character development, and a moving plot which really helps us reflect on who we are as people. ![]() Specifically, The Dressmaker offers real insight into some of the most pressing issues that have been around for centuries - how communities respond to crisis, why certain groups are marginalised, and how we should respond to tyranny and intolerance. This subject isn’t just about studying books and writing essays, it’s also about learning new insight you’ll carry with you throughout your life. The Dressmaker is one of those texts which reinforces why studying English can be so great when you give it a proper chance. I find it to be one of the most intriguing texts of our time - managing to weave together a historical narrative with humour, wit, and modern-day social concerns regarding patriarchy, class, and the effects of isolation. Set in Dungatar, a barren wasteland of traditionalism and superstition, isolated amidst the rapidly modernising post-World War II Australia, acclaimed author Rosalie Ham’s gothic novel, The Dressmaker, provides a fascinating window into 1950s Australia. For a detailed guide on Text Response, check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response. The Dressmaker is usually studied in the Australian curriculum under Area of Study 1 - Text Response. ![]()
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