Why do Australians have a need to pretend to be somebody else (Helen Darville, Ern Malley, Mudrooroo),?

Question

and receive awards for doing this?

pseudonym is one thing; pretending to be something you are not is another.

Answer 1

We just love it.

We have split personalities too. One drinks the other drives, its a real gift.
Like the other day, I thought I was Dame Edna Everidge, so I greeted everybody with "hello possum".

Answer 2

Many writers of all nationalities use a pseudonym. There is no requirement to use your own name.

Ern Malley was a hoax set up to embarrass Max Harris and the Angry Penguins - which it did in spades. The writings of Ern Malley received no awards.

Helen Darville, writing as Helen Demidenko, entered a novel fo the Vogel Litererary Award which is for young writers and she won it. The book won on the strength of the writing. Her problem was that she tried to pass it off as non-fiction and adopt the persona of her character, and got caught out.

There is still argument about Mudrooroo's aboriginality but it doesn't detract from the power of his writing or the reality of his subjects.

If you investigate the literature of any country you will find people writing under adopted names and personas. It is not an Australian specialty.

Answer 3

You seem to be asking heaps of questions about Australia,,, why dont you come down here from NY, Australia isnt that bad,,,,, just watch out for flies and buy some Aerogard..

Answer 4

I have no interest in pretending to be anyone else and don't know any other Australians that do so. Perhaps you shouldn't go by what you see in the media.

Answer 5

That is a massive generalisation. Are you looking for a few explosions ?

Answer 6

steve irwin was himself! but then again he got stung in the heart by a sting ray so it didn't really work out for him