Mateship in Looking for Alibrandi

Today I am here to express my opinion on Australian identity and stereotypes and the use of mateship in literature. Being ‘mates’ is a term used by many in modern day Australia. But what does mateship mean, where did it come from and why was it developed so largely in Australia.

Mateship is sticking out for each other even if it means putting yourself at risk. Now your probably thinking what does this have to do with Australian stereotypes. Well in the early Australian literature mateship is a common theme. For example; “A sketch of Mateship’ by Henry Lawson and ‘The Man From Snowy River’ a poem by Banjo Patterson. Both of these examples show stereotypical mateship themes, but as a contrasting and modern piece on mateship Melina Marchetta’s ‘Looking For Alibrandi’ shows mateship in a non-stereotypical manner with some stereotypical Australian underlying themes.

‘Looking For Alibrandi’ shows various non-stereotypical mateship situations. For example, the opposite gender relationship between Josie Alibrandi and John Barton. Although they are just friends, sometimes it seemed as though they both wanted to be more than friends. “…I feel good when I’m with you.” “And I feel great when I’m with you, John. Don’t ever change”(Marchetta, M 1992, Looking for Alibrandi, p.228). Although Jacob Coote, Josie Albrandi’s love interest doesn’t understand that Josie and John can go by as just friends. Jacob gets jealous of the time and effort shown towards John by Josie. “Educate me. Is it the modern thing for a girl to go out with another guy while she’s going out with me?” “He is my friend, Jacob. That’s the honest truth. I would never let him kiss me while I’m with you...” (Marchetta, M 1992, Looking for Alibrandi, p.230). Friendships between men and women are often misunderstood. People can often misconstrued a close friendship between a man and women as being in a unpublicized relationship or an new relationship. Not all Australians agree on whether friendships between...