Character matrix: The construction of Gary Blacks character in Phillip Gwynnes Deadly Unna?

Textual event or incident Vocabulary used to help construct the character. Language forms, features and structures used to narrate the event or incident. Symbols and significance

1.

2. 3. 4.

Garys role as a team member in the Australian rules final Fishing with his dad Provoking the siblings about television Attending the do after the final Garys mateship with Darcy

gallivanting (p.112)

5.

silences questions asked by Gary and answered by Darcy

Darcy is a substitute father for Gary Darcy is a role model for Gary Silence is pivotal to Australian male conversation

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Spending time with Cathy Attending Dumby Reds funeral Painting over racist graffiti
Long road and many obstacles towards reconciliation Only non-Indigenous attendant

Worksheet 8

Character matrix: The construction of Mr Blacks character in Phillip Gwynnes Deadly Unna?
Textual event or incident Dad drinking at the pub. Stereotype and behaviour used Mr. Black drinks, therefore is a drunk, therefore he must be a dead-beat dad. Vocabulary used to describe stereotype Effect on the responder

The only person not to watch the football final.

Take sides with Gary who becomes the unloved hero Dont like/respect Dad but feel sympathy towards Mrs. Black, Gary and other children

Fighting with his business partner

Physically abuses Tim

Assessing the authors point of view

Examining the authors point of view and being critical about the findings will lead to a deeper understanding about the issues represented in the text, Deadly Unna?
Issue Who is involved from the text? What are the characteristics of a violent person according to the text? What is the purpose for using violence in the text? What is Gwynnes point of view?

Violence

What is the effect on the reader? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

Issue Who is involved from the text? What are the characteristics of the Indigenous people from the text? What is the purpose for using indigenous characters in the text? What is Gwynnes point of view about the Indigenous population?

Racism

What is the effect on the responder? Does the use of stereotypes in Deadly Unna? such as Indigenous males are good at sport appear to be just another form of racism? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Questions: 1. Do you think that the reader will have the impression that All Indigenous people are the same from reading this text? 2. Why might grouping all Aboriginals in together be offensive?

3.

If Phillip Gwynne wants to teach against racism, why does he have the Indigenous character of Dumby as a good sportsman and a criminal and why does this Aboriginal character have to die for his actions? Is this a racist ideology or just a misguided effort?

4.

Representations in Deadly Unna?

1. Consider the following word bank. Place the words which you think best describe Gary and the words which best describe Dumby Red. courageous acclaimed doubtful timorous spineless confident celebrated hesitant plain attractive misunderstood welcomed mistrusted accepted frightening Words best to describe Gary Black cowardly unsure renowned popular malicious overestimated feared valiant spirited timid charming relaxed underestimated anxious

Words best to describe Dumby Red

2. Using the lists you have just created, consider the options which may be said to be present in creating meaning in the novel. Complete the following table using the given example to guide you. Gary Black unsure Dumby Red confident

3. Do you find that these options give you the entire picture of the main characters? How might they be represented in a different light? List three things that Gary might be criticised for: a) b) c) 4. List three things that Gary might be admired for: d) e) f) Try doing this activity for: 1. Mr Black 2. Mrs Black 3. Mr Robertson 4. Pickles 5. Clarence 6. Teamman