Identity Identity Personal identity what it means to

Identity

Identity • Personal identity: what it means to be a particular individual • Social identity: What it means to be a member of a particular group e. g. male, female, Australian, teenager, emo, politician etc

Personal Identity Those qualities or attributes which a person believes define them as an individual and are important (in a positive or negative way) to their sense of themselves and the sort of person they are. Self concept Self image

• Personal identity is made up of but not restricted to a number of social identities e. g. Male/female Australian student bogan Catholic

• Socially ascribed identity: how society defines what it means to be … • Self-constructed identity: how an individual defines what it means to be …

Some ways in which ideas about individual identity are represented in texts

The power of society and circumstance to shape individual identity

The negative effects of the acceptance of imposed identities

People’s struggle to live according to their own conceptions of their identity in opposition to socially enforced constructions The Pianist

The development of individuals’ identity to accommodate new circumstances – social, physical

The development of individuals towards an acceptance and celebration of a given aspect of their identity – gender, ethnicity, physical, sexual

The development of a new identity, or awareness of aspects of identity of which a person was previously unaware (growth to selfknowledge)

Group Identity: Key Concepts • Groups use texts to express constructions of their identity. • Groups use texts to express constructions of the identity of others. • Groups use texts to challenge or subvert constructions of their identity by others. • Group identities are influenced by social and political forces.

• Many texts reflect ideas about identity: they might reflect, reinforce or challenge socially dominant ideas

Some groups attempt to construct new ideas about identity in opposition to socially ascribed notions

• Some texts explore conceptions of identity: encouraging us to ask what does to mean to be …

Blade Runner

• Ideas about identity are often embodied in particular representations or iconic figures

The National Day of the American Cowboy Resolution • The cowboy is an American icon. • The cowboy embodies honesty, integrity, courage, compassion, respect, a strong work ethic, and patriotism. • To recognize the American cowboy is to acknowledge America’s ongoing commitment to an esteemed and enduring code of conduct.

Australian Identity The Man from Snowy River 1890

The Man from Snowy River 1982

Crocodile Dundee, 1986

The nickname 'Digger' is attributed to the number of ex-gold diggers in the early army units and to the trench digging activities of the Australian soldiers during World War I. The actual origin of the name has been lost in time but the Australian soldier is known affectionately around the world as the Digger. www. defence. gov. au Typical Digger, 1919 Henry Woollcott Australian War Memorial

The surf lifesaver has become an Australian icon. In the 1920 s, the surf lifesaver replaced the bushman and the digger as the typical Australian. Like his predecessors, the surf lifesaver was masculine, tanned, fit, strong and selfless. He was bound by mateship and subjected to but not tamed by military discipline. He was also modern and urban, a reflection of the nation, or the nation as it wanted to be. National Museum of Australia

How to Answer Questions about Identity • Prepare some stuff on representation of identity in a text you have studied – one written, one visual • Choose an identity to focus on in the exam text and signal this Text 1 can be read as offering ideas about …. identity

• Analyse the exam text – explaining the ideas and offering supporting evidence • Offer up your prepared stuff