Aspects of Away

Texts are created in particular contexts but rely on their readers to make sense of them. In Michael Gow’s stage play Away we can learn about Australia’s history its social issues and its culture through the characters and their actions. Without the readers interpreting the texts the contexts would be lost and not be appreciated.

Historically the play is set in a specific time period – the Christmas of 1967 and New Year of 1968. The late sixties is a period of Australian history where there was a great deal of political and social change. One significant event was that Australia was at war with North Vietnam. Australia also had a large migrant population. Economically it was a prosperous time for Australia especially in the areas of Agriculture and Mining. These historical events influence the behaviour and attitudes of the characters. The historical aspects of the play would have deeper meaning to people of that generation and time frame. People from this era would be a...