Caroline Cummings

K. Gaspari

English 10

3 January 2011

His Illegal Self by Peter Carey

Australia

Monuments

The Burke and Wills Monument The Burke and Wills Monument commemorates the first explorers to cross the continent from South to North. 

Brisbane's ANZAC SquareA commemorating memorial to those who were lost in combat. 18 Doric columns supporting the shrine's dome, which represent the year 1918 when WW1 ending claiming 60,000 Australian lives. 

Natural Wonders

The PinnaclesThe Pinnacles is a desert full of limestone pillars believed to be 6,000 years old.

Wolfe Creek CraterThe second largest meteorite in the world.

The Great Barrier ReefOne of the seven wonders of the world. The world's largest coral reef. The reef contains an abundance of marine life with over 3,000 different species.

Important Events

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race The Sydney to Hobart yacht race happens once a year towards the end of December. Starting in Sydney, Australia ending in Hobart, Tasmania.

The Adelaide Festival of the ArtsAn arts festival held annually since 1960. Internationally renowned. Usually in the month of March.

Traditional Festivities

The Darwin FestivalThe celebration of the city's uniqueness, celebrating the multicultural growth, the tropical conditions, and youthful energy. (Darwin, North Territory)

Revelation Perth International Film FestivalThe festival's history has seen the screening of a wide array of contemperary and archival documentaries, to Oscar nominees, to the works of the international scene. 

Culture

• Australian culture is founded on stories of battlers, bush-rangers, and brave soldiers. 

• 80% of Australians live about thirty miles to the coast.• Rich culture diversity is reflected in their food. • From theatre to literature, Australians love the arts. • Most cutting-edge cultural festivals. • Australia's unique geography leaves it with a very fertile

ground for many ideas to come.  

Interesting Facts

• The Great Barrier Reef is home to the world's largest oyster. 

• Home to the world's longest piece of straight railway track. 

• Also home to the world's longest continuous fence. (The Dingo Fence)

C. How have your views changed after reading this

book? 

    They changed in a way where I’ve learned to appreciate the things I have instead of complaining like I used to. It’s made me appreciate my family more than I had before I read this book.

D. What has this book taught you about the culture that

you completed research on? 

    This book taught me that there are shanty towns like there are in the United States. The places Che was living in were little huts, apartments, hotels, trailer parks, the woods, all while he was in Australia. It also taught me that is beauty in everything in Australia, Che tries to find the beauty in everything and even when times ate hard for him. 

F. Although the main character and you are from different cultures, what similarities exist between you

and the main character of the book? 

Che and I are similar, in many ways like he appreciates the scenery of Australia, I imagine I would too. I also like cats and Che has a little kitten named Buck that he found in Australia. 

G. What fascinates you about the culture(s) presented

in this book? 

    The cultures presented in this book were those of the hippie era, so there was a background of little food, more drug related drama. Other than that the other cultures were in the middle of happy and mad at Che and Dial because they were americans. They weren’t accepted as much as you might think. 

Citations• Carey, Peter. His Illegal Self. London: Faber and Faber, 2008. Print. •   "Famous Monuments in Australia." Travel Tips - USAToday.com. Web. 10 Jan. 2012.

<http://traveltips.usatoday.com/famous-monuments-australia-59235.html>• The Great Barrier Reef - a World Heritage Listed, Natural Inspiration. Web. 11 Jan. 2012.

<http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/>.  • "Australia Major Events & Festivals throughout Australia." Travel Australia Made in Australia Invest in Australia Web

Site Services Port Douglas Web Cam. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. <http://www.downunderonline.com/Australia_Holiday_Events.htm>. 

• "Festivals in Australia." Australia.gov.au. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. <http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/festivals-in-australia>.

• Australian Culture - Tourism Australia." Tourism Australia. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. <http://www.australia.com/about/culture.aspx>.

• Interesting Facts About Australia - Tourism Australia." Tourism Australia. Web. 13 Jan. 2012. <http://www.australia.com/about/facts.aspx>.