AustLit

This thesis examines the foundational Aboriginal texts of three Aboriginal authors - Monica Clare, Margaret Tucker and Oodgeroo Noonuccal - and argues that the loss of status suffered by these narratives can be linked to each text's overt political enunciation, uncompromising political stance, or mobilisation of an unfashionable generic style. The thesis also investigates the role of the women's 'communities of commitment' in the publication of the narratives, and highlights the role of white editors in influencing the style and content of the published works. It concludes that this editorial collaboration is the site of editorial double mimesis, the imposition of stereotyped representations of Aboriginality. The thesis accepts the scars of editorial effacement as evidence of struggle and celebrates the substantially unheralded achievements of these women.