Assumed that Anzac Day in its function as a national day is an invention (Seal 4), the question arises what understandings of the day are imposed on the recipients and how. A central point in this discussion is the idea that Anzac Day as a national myth builds a connection between the public life and the public history in the form of national sentiments as addressed by Davison (2003), Seal (2004), McKenna & Ward (2007), and White (2003). In comparing media material about Anzac Day from 1968 and 2009 I will look at how the establishment of this connection is aimed at in a militaristic framework and how understandings of it differ. Furthermore, I will investigate how far notions beyond this militaristic context are incorporated. How is the commemoration of Anzac Day understood in relation to a rising multiplicity of Anzac understandings?
Table of Contents
1. Anzac Day (Essay # 2)
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay examines the evolution of Anzac Day as a national myth, specifically investigating how media representations from 1968 and 2009 construct and adapt the connection between private life and public national history within and beyond a militaristic framework.
- The role of Anzac Day as an invented national tradition.
- Comparative analysis of media discourse in 1968 versus 2009.
- The intersection of militarism, nationhood, and individual identity.
- The diversification of Anzac meanings in contemporary Australian society.
- The tension between traditional commemoration and modern, broader interpretations.
Excerpt from the Book
Anzac Day (Essay # 2)
Assumed that Anzac Day in its function as a national day is an invention (Seal 4), the question arises what understandings of the day are imposed on the recipients and how. A central point in this discussion is the idea that Anzac Day as a national myth builds a connection between the private life and public history in the form of national sentiment as addressed by Davison (2003), Seal (2004), McKenna & Ward (2007), and White (2003). In comparing media material about Anzac Day from 1968 and 2009 I will look at how the establishment of this connection is aimed at in a militaristic framework and how understandings of it differ. Furthermore, I will investigate in how far notions beyond this militaristic context are incorporated. How is the commemoration of Anzac Day understood in relation to a rising multiplicity of Anzac understandings?
In 1968 the Courier Mail, while focusing on organisational facts, the weather and subsequent entertainment concerning the approaching Anzac Day, describes the event of 1915 in a sober manner: “Because Britain was involved in a European war we, too, became involved. So did New Zealand. Thus Anzac” (A long way 2). The article does not focus on “great war deeds”, although acknowledging the day’s roots in remembering the fighting men, but sees Anzac Day now predominantly as a day to commemorate the improvements Australia has accomplished since then in detaching itself from the influences of Britain and setting up a “new nationhood” (A long way 2). The Anzac parade and the marching of the diggers, which experienced heavy rain and march cancellations in that year, is presented as pathetic and redundant when it says that “Brisbane on Anzac Day was a cold, empty city” (It just didn’t seem to be Anzac Day 1). Marchers were “confused” and “wondering around seeking information” (Angry at no Anzac Show 3). In the light of human reality diggers are seen as invalid old men and mutual recriminations between organisers and marchers display an unstable and fading Anzac spirit.
Summary of Chapters
Anzac Day (Essay # 2): This essay investigates the changing nature of the Anzac myth by contrasting media portrayals of the event in 1968 and 2009, highlighting how the day evolved from a rigid, war-focused commemoration to a more multifaceted public dialogue.
Keywords
Anzac Day, Australian Studies, National Myth, Militarism, Commemoration, Nationhood, Media Analysis, Anzac Spirit, Identity, History, Mateship, Social Change, 1968, 2009, Public Memory
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay explores the function of Anzac Day as an "invented" national myth and how its representation in the media has changed between 1968 and 2009.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the construction of national identity, the connection between private life and public history, the evolution of militaristic symbolism, and the broadening of Anzac Day's meaning in modern Australia.
What is the core research question?
The essay asks how the commemoration of Anzac Day is understood in relation to the rising multiplicity of meanings attributed to the day and how it transitioned from a strictly militaristic framework.
Which methodology is used to conduct this research?
The research employs a comparative media analysis, examining primary source articles from various newspapers published in 1968 and 2009 to observe shifts in public discourse.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the specific portrayals of Anzac Day in 1968, the evolution of the "Anzac spirit," the impact of the Vietnam era, and how contemporary interpretations in 2009 incorporate social, tourismic, and diverse cultural perspectives.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include Anzac Day, national myth, militarism, commemoration, media analysis, and the evolution of Australian nationhood.
How did the 1968 media coverage of Anzac Day differ from 2009?
In 1968, the coverage was largely exhausted and strictly tied to war or colonial identity struggles, whereas in 2009, the coverage reflects a much broader, fragmented, and inclusive range of meanings.
Why is the "militaristic context" still relevant in the 2009 analysis?
Although the author notes a broadening of the event's meaning, the militaristic context remains omnipresent, as the military continues to be portrayed as a core component of the Australian soul and a necessary strategic element.
What role does "mateship" play in the myth-making of Anzac Day?
Mateship acts as a flexible, "peculiarly Australian" characteristic that allows the Anzac myth to be adapted to modern contexts, including social and international relations beyond the battlefield.
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- Annika Onken (Autor:in), 2009, Issues in Australian Studies: Anzac Day, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/137781
