Forms and Functions of Fictionalizing Australian History in Richard Flanagan’s novel Death of a River Guide

Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject English - Literature, Works, grade: 2,0, University of Cologne (Englisches Seinar), course: Contemporary Australian Narratives in English, language: English, abstract: In this term paper, the plot of Death of a River Guide will be analysed, preceded by a brief summary of the (colonial) history of Tasmania, where the novel is set. The analysis of Death of a River Guide will be done with respect to its links with Tasmanian history. Reading between the lines of Aljaz’s visions namely reveals not only insights into his and his family’s past, but also into Tasmania’s history, which was marked by a quite difficult encounter between Aboriginals and settlers, especially the many convicts that were sent onto the island. This fictionalization of the country’s past is depicted by Flanagan from various viewpoints. Finally, a conclusion will be drawn.