Backbencher

Lecture 10 was very different than the other lectures Dr. Isern has presented over the semester. Rather than having its primary function be providing information, lecture 10 was aimed toward giving us something to reflect on, using the information we have learned throughout this class. The main point of lecture 10 was Clark and Sinclair and their role in the making of Australia and New Zealand as nations. Manning Clark proved to be quite a controversial man, being self-absorbed and possibly a communist. (He was given the Order of Lenin by the USSR). Keith Sinclair is interesting in that he is also a poet, which creates a different perspective in his writings. Both of these author’s were nation-makers, with their writings beginning to form national attitudes.

Dr. Isern then confronted us with the question "Why do we do history?" Do we do history for judgement? for identity? as a heritage resource? Or just for fun. I think that all four of these are important. History is a good background for making judgments, as it provides a precedent for later behavior. The history of a person, group, or area is incredibly important in shaping the identity of that person, group, or area. Also, without remembering the past, our heritage, it is difficult to understand who or what we are. Also, it is important that history can be fun, because otherwise no one would care to study it.

This lecture was a very effective way to end the semester. Not only did it finish what we had started in pursuing information on Australia and New Zealand, but it tied our semester into history in general. It helped to put this semester into perspective with what we had accomplished, not in grades or papers, but in our understanding of history as a whole. With that in mind, Lecture 10 was a very effective final lecture.