Perceptions of the Enemy in Australian War Literature

Abstract

The essay examines the literary consequences of an Australian need for an enemy in the nation-building and myth-making process, and traces how perceptions of the enemy have changed in Australian poetry and prose of war since 1885. It also compares Australian with some British and American war literature from the same period.

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Published 1 October 1985 in Volume 12 No. 2. Subjects: Australian literature - Comparisons with overseas literature, Australian myths, Australian war literature, Racial identity - Literary portrayal, Stereotypes, The Past, War poetry.

Cite as: Pierce, Peter. ‘Perceptions of the Enemy in Australian War Literature.’ Australian Literary Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, 1985, doi: 10.20314/als.5c942184f2.