Representations of age in twentieth century Australian drama

Rachael Romano

doi:10.26182/5d43ebcaed1e6

Representations of age in twentieth century Australian drama

Rachael Romano

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

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Abstract

[Truncated] 'Representations of Age in Twentieth Century Australian Drama' challenges normative constructs of old age as a period of inevitable decline and questions the epistemological basis that constructs the aged body as abject. In order for negative and damaging representation of aged subjects to be challenged, a thorough understanding of the epistemic and historical genealogy of age representation and discourse needs to be mapped. This thesis engages in a textual analysis of plays that span the period 1920 to 1985. An extended time frame is adopted to examine the ideological genealogy and inscription of age representations. The first four chapters concentrate on the discursive construction of old age in Australia and demonstrate that age identity is flexible and subject to the pressures of social change. Change, however, is discussed in terms of degrees of negative representation, and it is not until the last chapter, which critiques a contemporary text, that a celebratory model of old age is found.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.26182/5d43ebcaed1e6
Publication status	Unpublished - 2001

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AB - [Truncated] 'Representations of Age in Twentieth Century Australian Drama' challenges normative constructs of old age as a period of inevitable decline and questions the epistemological basis that constructs the aged body as abject. In order for negative and damaging representation of aged subjects to be challenged, a thorough understanding of the epistemic and historical genealogy of age representation and discourse needs to be mapped. This thesis engages in a textual analysis of plays that span the period 1920 to 1985. An extended time frame is adopted to examine the ideological genealogy and inscription of age representations. The first four chapters concentrate on the discursive construction of old age in Australia and demonstrate that age identity is flexible and subject to the pressures of social change. Change, however, is discussed in terms of degrees of negative representation, and it is not until the last chapter, which critiques a contemporary text, that a celebratory model of old age is found.

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Representations of age in twentieth century Australian drama

Abstract

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