MUSIC MATTERS
CLASS OF 2010
LET'S BEGIN

THE LINE - S/N activity

When you study The Line by Arch and Martin Flanagan you will need to make connections that go beyond the set text, just as you did with The Secret River. The connections you make are about exploring the set context, Encountering Conflict, and building a pool of ideas to inspire writing pieces that are underpinned by themes, ideas and literary devices used in the set text.

To begin this process you are going to source four texts (a picture, a written text, a song and a film) that you can see are about Encountering Conflict and can be linked to The Line in some way. In these explanations make clear:
- the conflict/s you can see
- the links with the set text
- the ideas for possible writing pieces

An area for improvement from our The Secret River blog posts:

Enhance your digital writing by including links to information on sites that supports your commentary. Also, where possible, incorporate a relevant visual with your post. For example, if you are writing about a novel in the Text Tremors section of the blog, import a picture of the novel’s cover.

Tell Me Why by Declan Galbraith

Tell Me Why is a song sung by Declan Galbraith when he was just eleven years old. The song brings up the ever going issue of the many thousands of people out in the world that are in need. This is presented in the very first paragraph of the song.

"In my dream, children sing
A song of love for every boy and girl
The sky is blue and fields are green
And laughter is the language of the world
Then I wake and all I see
Is a world full of people in need."

This first part of the song explains one of the main reasons why there are so many people in need in the world and why so much conflict goes on. People tend to think that it is a nightmare and when they wake up it will all be gone. That however, is not the case. It is the opposite of that. We may be safe in our dreams, away from reality and the world, but when we wake it will still be right there, in our faces waiting to be fixed.

The chorus itself is also a touching part in the song.

"Tell me why (why) does it have to be like this?

Tell me why (why) is there something I have missed?

Tell me why (why) cause I don't understand

When so many need somebody

We don't give a helping hand

Tell me why?"

I think by getting a young child such as Declan to sing this song is what makes it so much more touching. Here is this innocence eleven year old child asking the world, why? Why can't someone just reach out their hand and help these people? Why does it have to be like this and why can't we do something about? Even when I see news reports and advertisements pleading for people to help those people that are in poverty, even I ask myself all of these questions. However, the most important question this young boy asks the world and even one of the most frequent question I think about, tell me why? Cause I don't understand. This is one question that no-one ever has a proper answer to.

In the second verse, Declan sings about and asks what he has to do for something to be done.

"Every day I ask myself,

What will I have to do to be a man?

Do I have to stand and fight,

To prove to everybody who I am?

Is that what my life is for,

To waste in a world full of war?"

It is quite confronting when you hear and see a young boy asking you if the only he is good for and the only thing his life is good for is to waste in this world that is full of war, chaos, poverty and destruction. Is that really the life we want for our children? I sure know that is not what I want for my children.

In the last verses, the song presents more questions to its listeners.
"Tell me why (Why why, does the tigers run?)
Tell me why (Why why, do we shoot the gun?)
Tell me why (Why why, do we never learn?)
Can someone tell us why we let the forests burn?

(why why do we say we can?) tell me why
(why why is it still the same?) tell me why
(why why do we talk and run?) tell me why
Can someone tell us why we let the ocean die?

(why why do we always say?) tell me why
(why why do we pass the blame?) tell me why
(why why does it never rain?)
Can someone tell us why we cannot just be friends?

(why why do we close our eyes?)
(why why do we really lie?)
(why why do we fight for land?)
Can someone tell us why cause we don't understand."
Not only does this song bring up the issues we have in the world about poverty and how not much is being done to help and prevent these problems, but its also brings up another range of things. Why do the tigers run? Why do we let the forests burn? Why do we let the ocean die? These questions bring up the rising issue of the wellbeing of animals and our environment. Why do we have to cut down trees and burn them down? The answer simply is, we don't have to. However our society is greedy and is always wanting to expand their establishments. So if a forest is in the way of their ideal location, they get rid of it.

In the same verse as the question about the tigers, this question follows it, why do we have to shoot the gun? Now this question can relate to two main issues and conflicts in the world at the moment. One is hunting of animals such as tigers, and the other is war. Do we really need to engage in war? There is so much of it going on at the moment and to be honest I have lost track of whom is even involved in these wars and more importantly, who is winning. Oh, and don't let me forget all the innocence men, women and children that have fallen as a result of this. It is an exhausting and losing battle that shall continue on through the ages.

Whilst on the subject of war, another point that is brought up at the end of this song is, why can't we all just be friends? It is a good question and when a young child turns on the tv and sees the conflict, wars and destruction going on in the world, that is the question they ask. How are we suppose to tell the children of today and tomorrow that people are too stubborn to put their differences aside and work things out in a civilized manner. Simply, we can't. So what are we suppose to tell them?

So in saying that, why do we only say things but never act them out? Why do we talk and run? Why do we always pass the blame? Why do we really lie? Why do we never learn? Why is it all the same still? Well people lie and pass the blame as they can't face up to their actions. This behavior takes place EVERY SINGLE DAY and it almost ALWAYS cause some form of conflict. It is an endless cycle. We talk it up, run away, lie and then pass the blame to someone else. Just an easy way of getting out of life's everyday problems, but sadly we never learn and then cycle just keeps going and going.

So if you ask me, this song brings up many different conflict issues in the world these days. It bravely asks the questions that no-one else is brave enough ask and it does it all through the innocence eyes of an eleven year old boy.

...and justice for all - metallica

this song pretty much contends how the justice system in america is bribable. basically you can get away with doing whatever you want if you were very wealthy or that money becomes more important than the truth. this kind of relates to the book in a different way. the europeans were more wealthy comapred to the aboriginals and they took the aboriginal peoples land who had a long history with their land. but just like that the europeans took more control.

Stay-Sugarland

this song is about a woman who is 'the other woman' in a relationship. the conflict i believe involved in this song is her own internal conflicts. she has to face a decision. in the secret river there are many decisions that have to be made. maybe not the ssame as the decision in this song but it is still a internal conflict like this song faces. the song 'stay' goes through a journey at the start of the song she is weak, tired and emotionally in pain. you hear of how she tries to stop the man from going back to his wife.
"beg you not to leave,

but i'll be left here waiting

with my heart on my sleeve"

half way through the song her thoughts change she is fed up with trying, the lyric goes

"i'm tired of waiting.
it's too much pain to have to bare;
to love a man you have to share"
so her decision is that she doesn't have to live that way, she doesn't have to share, and finishes up by saying

"i given you my best

why does she get the best of you

so the next time that you find

you want to leave her bed for mine

why don't you stay"

and in the end becomes more confident and seems self riteous

"im up off my knees,

im so tired of being lonely

you cant give me what i need

when she begs you not to go

there is one thing you should know

i dont have to live this way

baby why dont you stay"

Disorientated - Delta Goodrem

Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sHcsju2uvw

I have chosen the song Disorientated by Delta Goodrem as I believe it relates directly to Sal and the circumstances surrounding her life at Thornhill’s Point. As we follow the lyrics of the song we can see that it describes the internal conflict and disorientation of Sal as she struggles to find herself and cope with life in the bush. It also describes how Sal seems to notice the change in her husband as a result of the ‘blacks’ and how she and her family are always threatened by their differences, always having to ‘look back just in case’. Towards the end of the song we can see that it describes how Sal eventually accepts the way her life had changed, and how she eventually lost track of the days that had past (her tree markings) to finally start a new life within the bush with her family.

The song Dear Mr. President by Pink explores the conflict between those in charge, in this case politicians and the people they govern. Those under their power are often in disagreement with decisions yet still have to abide by the laws and policies they set. This is very much like the secret river with the conflict that occurred between many of the British who were sentenced to death over the most obscure of crimes. Very few were lucky enough to escape death and endure their sentencing in Australia but they still had to abide by the rules and regulations set by those governing them.

2 Songs that i believe show 'enocuntering conflict' are;

Eye of the Tiger - Survivor - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu9xx5Ri278
Ghetto Gospel - Tupac Ft. Elton John - www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxR4AweLeXE

Eye of the Tiger is all about determination, hardship, courage, and encountering the conflict between a man and his goals. A man who is 'rising up,' getting back on his feet, just a man and his will to survive. He tries not to lose his grip on reality and must fight to keep everything right

Ghetto Gospel is about a black man living in the ghettos in America, he is poor and lives in a dangerous, povery stricken neighbourhood, where violence and drugs are part of everyday life. He encounters conflict in trying to avoid all the problems and make a better life for himself and his family

Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttal have just won the International Songwriting Competition for their song Caught in the Crowd. This song tells of experiences with bullying at school. The ideas of acceptance and tolerance of others, and the reasons why we might not hold true to these values, are explored in the song.

In terms of The Secret River it makes me think about Will's son Dick making friends with the Aboriginal children of the area they live in. Will and Sal struggle with the notion of Dick interacting with the Aboriginal people, Sal instructs Will, 'You best go down and fetch him back, Will, she said calmly. He got to learn when he's gone too far'. While this illustrates a fear of difference Grenville actually writes hopefully, implying there is a chance for understanding, tolerance and acceptance in the future. The narrative imparts, 'At times Dick went down to the river ... Thornhill had seen him there more than once ... playing with the native children ... Dick was stripped off as they were, to nothing but skin. His was white and theirs was black, but shining in the sun and glittering with river-water it was hard to tell the difference'.

Whispering Jack is back - again. John Farnham is itching to get back on stage after his experience of performing with Coldplay at the Bushfire Aid concerts. Seeing footage of his career in the media lately reminded me what great songs The Age of Reason and You're the Voice are. Definitely worth listening to to inspire thinking about the Context.

Advance Australia Fair

There is much debate surrounding the Australian national anthem and whether or not it is as it should be. Also in regard to our flag. It is interesting to consider the original, unabridged version of Advance Australia Fair when studying the issues that are presented in The Secret River. I would like to hear others' points of views on the arguments for and against the anthem. What do you think of the lyrics we no longer sing? Should the anthem be changed/replaced?

A piece of writing considering this topic could work to address a prompt, the context and the set text. It also lends itself to the discussion of just who are Australians and would we better represented as a people if we were a republic? Just two days ago Judith Durham, member of the 1960's Australian pop band the Seekers, 'penned new lyrics for the national anthem and is hoping that the rest of the country will get on board'. Also check out the BLIP.fm playlist to listen to versions of the I Am Australian song.

Breakeven by The Script

I chose to put Breakeven forward as a song worth considering for our exploration of the context in regard to The Secret River because I believe the idea of there being different levels of give and take in a relationship is one that is very pertinent to the situation of Sal and William Thornhill. While I think theirs' is a true love story, and the depth of their love for each other is on a par, it seems to be Sal who sacrifices the most for them to stay together. Sal leaves London to follow her convict husband to Australia where his promises of taking her home fall empty. A piece of writing that explores the intricacies of a relationship where one person gives up more than other could work well to address the criteria for this Area of Study outcome.