Our Country's Good: social context

Our Country’s Good: social context

Social Context of ‘Our Country’s Good’

The Penal System

• Set in the late 18th century, ‘Our Country’s Good’ explores the early days of the British penal system in Australia.
• A severe punishment, transportation to penal colonies was designed to remove ‘undesirables’ from Britain and deter crime, but this function is questioned and challenged in the play.
• Hierarchical nature of society reflected in the length and type of sentences convicts received. Some characters have been transported for minor crimes, reflecting unfairness and inequality in the justice system.

British Class System

• Class system and social mobility are prevalent themes throughout the play.
• The upper-class officers are often portrayed as cruel and unfeeling, whereas the lower-class convicts are given more sympathetic portrayals. This encourages us to question traditional views of morality and goodness.
• Wertenbaker uses the play to critique the class-ridden society, showcasing the potential for people from lower classes to rise above the circumstances.

The Theatre as a Social Force

• Wertenbaker explores the idea of theatre as an enabler of transformation and social integration.
• Despite the initial resistance, the production of the play becomes a tool for the convicts to express themselves and an opportunity for officers to see them as humans capable of change.
• It emphasizes the idea that art can serve as a socio-political tool, impacting both individuals and the wider community.

Colonisation and the Concept of ‘Other’

• The play delves into British colonial attitudes towards indigenous Australians, who are depicted as the ‘noble savage’ through the character of Bennelong.
• Perceptions of those considered ‘Other’ are highlighted and challenged as the convicts stage their play, removing the barrier between ‘us’ and ‘them’.
• The idea of Australia being an ‘empty’ land (terra nullius) is contested throughout the play, addressing the erasure of indigenous culture and promoting more humane and ethical colonial practices.

Understanding the social context of ‘Our Country’s Good’ helps to ground the text in the historical realities of its settings, allowing a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the characters and their motivations.