https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4 "Nona & Me" & "The Blind Side" en-us 2016-06-20 08:11:34 UTC 2026-03-15 05:51:11 UTC hello@padlet.com zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115029685 2016-06-20 08:22:37 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115029685 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115029870 Written by Clare Atkins]]> 2016-06-20 08:25:40 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115029870 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115030087 I feel like I’ve been in another world. The dancing. The stories. The sense of family. The contrast of life and dead. It makes this party seem frivolous. Of course I can’t say that to Selena. (pg. 233) ]]> 2016-06-20 08:28:51 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115030087 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115030361 Throughout the novel Nona and Me, Rosie constantly contorts and transforms her identity to better suit the standard set by the people that she has surrounded herself with. She is ashamed of who she is and the community she is a part of just because her lifestyle does not fall into the category of ‘normal’ and is often considered ‘uncool’. In the moment of the novel featured in the quote Rosie exaggerates her experiences reconnecting with her community to emphasize her feeling of being lost as she argues with herself in her head saying “Of course I can’t say that so Selena.” In the story Rosie is forced to reconsider who she is and who she wants to be.

]]> 2016-06-20 08:33:12 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115030361 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115031208 Anya says, “You know everyone here.” Unlike Nick, so long ago now, she sounds impressed. Wistful. Almost jealous. “It must be amazing to be part of this. To be part of a community.” I say, “Yeah. It is.” I realize that I mean it. (pg. 282)]]> 2016-06-20 08:46:21 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115031208 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115031406 Belonging is one of the many themes featured in Clare Atkin’s Nona and Me as the main protagonist Rosie struggles to find her place as she feels disconnected from her family and community. In many moments in the novel Rosie finds herself lost and conflicted as she is frequently shifting her beliefs of where she feels she belongs. Rosie, with no direction tries to create relationships with those with opinions that greatly contrast her own while also ruining relationships with the Yirrkala people she previously felt she belonged to. In the moment of the novel found in the quote Rosie is told “It must be amazing to be part of this. To be part of a community.” Rosie then replies saying “Yeah. It is.” I realise that I mean it.” This line of dialogue shares Rosie’s feeling of euphoria with the reader and metaphorically rids her of her confusions shown throughout the book. Nona and Me shows us that not only is the feeling of Belonging is something extremely hard thing to obtain while also something extremely east to lose.]]> 2016-06-20 08:48:55 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115031406 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115031503 A group of men approach the body, holding spears. I catch sight of my dad amongst them. A slither of white between black. He’s the only Napaki there. He knows the dance though. The motions, the ritual. He has taken part in this so many times – he has done this since childhood – but this time it’s for his yapa, for his brother. (Pg. 144) ]]> 2016-06-20 08:50:43 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115031503 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115032373 In Nona and Me, the term ‘Family’ does not necessarily require a connection through bloodline or marriage. Nona and Rosie’s families are not physically related but their family connections tie them together as Rosie’s family are accepting into the Yolnu culture and are treating as if they are truly part of the Yirrkala community. This is apparent in the quote Nona’s deceased father as Rosie’s father’s friend or even best friend but rather his brother. In the quote Yolnu language is also used in a way that show how the two cultures can be so vastly different but connected through family while keeping the text easily understandable and cohesive.

]]> 2016-06-20 09:02:51 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115032373 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115032717 2016-06-20 09:06:05 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115032717 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115032958 2016-06-20 09:08:36 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115032958 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115033163 The Blind Side is a movie rich with the themes of identity and belonging as it follows the story of Michael Oher, a black homeless teen, lost in place with no family or feeling of purpose. Michael is taken in by the wealthy Touhy family who supply him with care, motivation and specific experiences which lead to his success as an NFL star, moulding his new feeling of identity and belonging in the world as he is metaphorically accepted into life. In the opening sequence of The Blind Side Michael’s previous life is illustrated through a sequence of sporadic, sharp flashbacks. The combination of frame shots highlight Michaels old, rundown, unsafe home and the overwhelming sensation of feeling lost, is then re-enforced by the action of Michael walking towards the camera in a slow cinematic manner to help convey that he does not belong and is considered as an ‘outsider’. These themes help drive the film forward and emphasizes Michael’s vast change throughout.

]]> 2016-06-20 09:10:48 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115033163 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115033229 Written by Michael Lewis]]> 2016-06-20 09:11:36 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115033229 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115036045 2016-06-20 09:53:58 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115036045 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115038209 2016-06-20 10:31:40 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115038209 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115038263 After receiving my results for Part A of the Cultural Connections assessment task I have realized some flaws in my work. The main which being my misinterpretation of question 4. The question asks for me to “Describe the facial expressions of Belinda Riley and Darren Mippy and describe how their expression support the overall tone of the article.” Rather than describing the effect their expressions had on tone of the text I described the effect their expressions had on the purpose of their protest.  This mistake could have been avoided if I had taken the time to thoroughly analysed the question before answering. ]]> 2016-06-20 10:32:30 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115038263 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115039616 2016-06-20 10:52:56 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115039616 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115039617 “It’s Yolŋu land. They’re letting us be here. It’s not that hard to show respect.” (Pg. 201)]]> 2016-06-20 10:52:56 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115039617 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115127557 When writing Clare did not shy away from the difficulties facing many communities today. Suicide, disengaged youths involved in crime and abusing alcohol and drugs, and the death of a boy drink-driving highlights the very real and lasting impacts of these problems. She refers to health problems, social problems, difficulties with employment and schooling and describes the run down and damaged areas many live in. In the story we are shown the culture through the perspective Rosie who is a white girl brought adopting the culture as her own. This allows Clare Atkins to be flexible when writing and shows the reader the views of both the Yolnu and Non-Yolnu people. The story does not only show the harsh, unjust portrayal of aboriginal people but further shows their true, human second layer that some are too arrogant and uneducated to see.

]]> 2016-06-21 08:05:15 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115127557 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115129335 Clare Atkins at Yirrkala Art Centre]]> 2016-06-21 08:35:00 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115129335 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115131334 Clare Atkins Interview on Nona & Me]]> 2016-06-21 09:02:14 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115131334 zack_caldwell https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115276052 2016-06-22 23:07:55 UTC https://padlet.com/zack_caldwell/k6wjxk0bhbb4/wish/115276052