Teachers Talk The Longest Memory & The 7 Stages of Grieving

In this final episode of the 2020 season, Clare speaks with Prue Richards about the comparative pairing of Deborah Mailman and Wesley Enoch's play, 'The 7 Stages of Grieving', and Fred D'Aguiar's novel, 'The Longest Memory'.

These two texts placed side by side highlights the reality of our own nation's experience, as the parallels between America's history of slavery and systemic oppression of people of colour and Australia's own tarnished history are made obvious when considering the novel and play. While it may be an uncomfortable experience to accept and engage with the reality of Australia's own civil rights movement, it is an incredibly important lesson for all Australians. One particular point of discussion was that the Australian system is in some ways more underhanded and insidious, as racism is hidden under a veil of ignorance, in comparison with the explicit economic and social system of slavery in America. However, even though there is a clear enemy in 'The Longest Memory', and the abolitionist movement is a presence, the structure of the novel and use of dramatic irony provides the reader with knowledge that the 'star crossed lovers' will not be successful in their escape, and the entirety of the novel is quite hopeless. But, in 'The 7 Stages of Grieving', with all it's grim realism and confronting material, contains more hope, and more resistance, despite the systemic barriers in place oppressing the characters.
 
There are very strong female characters in both texts, and this is important, as the authorial intent to empower women (or to disempower) is an active choice for both the novel and play, and needs to be interrogated. A question for the listener - we are seeking an interpretation of why both texts use such strong female characters, as we couldn't decide! Jump onto the Instagram here to share your thinking. 

Ultimately, both texts highlight the importance of action over words - in America and Australia, as attempts have been made for reconciliation for reparation, and yet in both countries, people of colour face systemic racism, exclusion and oppression.  Mailman and Enoch, and D'Aguiar illustrate to us the importance of listening to each other, to try to understand each other and create a better world in the future.