AustLit

John Murray discusses the complex ethical considerations Victor Kelleher raises in his novel Parklands (1994) concerning biotechnologies, humanness and hybrid identities and the problems associated with distinguishing between 'human beings and other living things' (p.26). Despite the fact that Murray believes the novel fails to deal with the crucial issue of 'different treatment for different species', he does point to the range of ideas the text opens up regarding the 'integrity and beauty' of the biotic community (p.27). In particular, he argues, the novel challenges the traditional Judeo-Christian ethic which underpins Western thinking and 'regards human beings as having dominion over all living creatures' rather than 'equal members of a biotic community' (p.27). For younger readers, says Murray, the novel 'opens up a potentially very intense ethical and practical debate' and allows the reader to develop an awareness of the complexities of human effects on the environment (p.29).

Pearce critiques John Marsden's novel Dear Miffy (1997) as a narrative that reinforces the polarisation of the sexes in a post-feminist climate and at a time when masculinity is seen to be in crisis. Further, she argues Marsden's representations of fathers (and mothers) supports the notion that the revitalisation of manhoood is 'essential for healing the wounded nature of modern masculinity' and that the narrative is fundamentally about 'father hunger' (p.34). The protagonist of the novel fits Bob Connell's description of 'protest masculinity' as he struggles with his masculinity, relationships and socio-economic circumstances. Pearce points out that rigid class demarcations in the text not only underlie stereotyped representations of 'the have and have-nots' but link class with the 'traditional notion that manhood is an achievment not a given and that it must be earned, won and fought for through various trials and ritualized suffering' (pp.33-34).

Pope looks at two examples of Australian adolescent literature, The Best Thing by Margo Lanagan and Stony Heart Country by David Metzenthen, to address the infrequent attention given to the representation of social class in Australian children's texts. She posits that the conservative approach of Australian politics, particularly the Liberal Government's attitude towards unions and union labour, means that the Marxist definition of social class still has relevance in terms of understanding the effects of industrial and economic power. As Pope points out, 'Social class contributes markedly to our sense of self , our subjectivity. Literary texts can provide opportunities to explore different subjectivites, to reinforce or confirm existing ones, or alternately to subvert them' (39). Pope's analysis concludes that while both texts offer a 'fair representation of the working classes' they both work towards dismantling class difference through a 'humanist and universalizing view of people' which ultimately 'ignores the limitations that class divisions create' (42-43). She argues that both novels essentailly naturalize the class divisions which underpin Australian economic and social structures which positions the reader to accept rather than challenge the notion that social hierarchies are inevitable.