Twenty first century literature: Opportunities, changes and challenges

In a recent article in the Australian Newspaper, The Age, (‘Conservative students suffer from “left bias”’, 15 August 2008), the reader’s attention was drawn to a boxed stand-out section juxtaposing significant political moments in Australia’s history over the last ten years under the conservative Howard government, and the selection of texts set for final year English in the southern state of Victoria.

Texts added after: … The Howard government rejected the findings of the Bringing Them Home¹report

Stolen, Jane Harrison

Jackson’s Track, Daryl Tonkin and Carolyn Landon

Inheritance, Hannie Rayson

… the 1999 referendum ²

Freedom of the City, Brian Friel

Breaker Morant

… the Tampa incident ³

A View from the Bridge, Arthur Miller

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini

… . Australia joins the coalition of the willing and sends troops to Iraq

The Quiet American, Graham Greene The Baghdad Blog, Salam Pax