Our Country's Good: language

Our Country’s Good: language

Key Themes Reflected in Language

  • The play is laced with authentic convict dialect and standard English, illustrating the socio-economic divide between officers and convicts.
  • The usage of theatrical jargon within the dialogue demonstrates the transformative effect of theatre on the characters, especially the convicts.
  • Through powerful imagery and metaphors, Wertenbaker tries to encapsulate the setting and the struggle of the characters.
  • The stark contrast between educated language and common dialect highlights social hierarchies and brings to light issues of class and power.

Language Techniques

  • The use of monologues by characters like Wisehammer and Liz portrays their inner conflict, emphasizing the power of theatre as a tool for introspection.
  • The use of pauses and silences can be seen throughout the play, contributing to tension and dramatic effect.
  • Overlapping dialogue in the play brings out the chaotic and dynamic nature of the characters’ interactions.
  • Rapid shifts in tone and mood achieved through language heighten the emotional impact and tension of scenes, reflecting the unstable circumstance of the characters.

Language and Characterisation

  • Ralph Clark makes use of formal, military language, initially reflecting his rigid adherence to authority and later revealing his growing empathy towards the convicts.
  • The monologues of Liz Morden shift in language from rough convict slang in the beginning to coherent sentences towards the end, signifying her transformation through theatre.
  • John Wisehammer, despite being a convict, reveals his literacy and eloquence through his grammatically correct and polished language.
  • Captain Phillip often uses diplomatic language to express his broader, reformative visions, contrasting with the harsh, brutal language employed by Major Ross.

Language and Setting

  • The language used in the narrative stage directions vivifies the brutal, inhospitable setting of the Australian outback.
  • The language of the sea and seafaring are frequently used as metaphors throughout the play, signifying foreignness and the sense of displacement.
  • The setting of the penal colony is reflected in the harsh, unadorned language and dialogue filled with conflict and tension.