Teachers Talk Texts: Recent Episodes
Clare Mackie
Each episode, host Clare Mackie discusses a different text from the VCE English text list with a passionate and knowledgeable teacher. The conversation is more than just a plot summary and character profile, rather, teachers discuss textual interpretation, authorial intent, views and values - the complex and deeply interesting aspects of studying literature.
In this episode, Clare speaks with Sonia Murr about Trevor Noah's memoir, 'Born A Crime'. The text is a wild ride, careering from absolutely hilarious to gut-wrenchingly heart-breaking in the turn of a page, and it provides a unique vantage point to interrogate the impacts of apartheid in South Africa. Sonia's reflections and insights into the novel are thoughtful and considered, especially around political correctness and engaging with this text meaningfully in a classroom.
If you are interested in reading more of Sonia's insights, she is the author of the VATE teaching notes, available for download here: https://www.vate.org.au/shop/inside-stories/born-crime-vate-inside-stories-2023-pdf
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In this episode, Clare speaks with Philip Thiel about Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed novel, 'Things Fall Apart'. Together, they discuss the importance of understanding a post-colonial lens as a means of exploring this text, and how Achebe invites his reader into this narrative through his decision to write the novel in English. Further, this conversation centres on the significance of gender, and not just masculinity, but femininity too, and how Achebe interrogates these constructs in his depiction of traditional Igbo society.
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Kat from BEAR Learn returns in this episode, flipping the script and putting Clare in the hot seat to answer questions about Much Ado About Nothing. Having recently authored analysis of 50 key quotations from the play in collaboration with BEAR Learn, this conversation dips into some of the key ideas and concerns of Shakespeare, and how students can streamline their study by honing in on high utility quotations that can do heavy lifting in analysis. The conversation gives a little taste of what the analysis includes, and students (or teachers!) can click on the links below if they are interested in more. But more than that, this conversation explores why Much Ado is still so relevant for today's audience, in how it interrogates the power dynamics of gender, of marriage, and more broadly, of status in society.
Want to get the analysis? Click here!
Want to know more about BEAR Learn? Click here!
Interested in a Bear BANK? Click here!
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Clare is joined by Melinda Keyte in this conversation, to discuss Toni Jordan's novel, 'Nine Days'. The discussion is rich and broad, as Melinda speaks knowledgeably and passionately about the text, including ideas of women's emancipation, the symbolism of the house on Rowena Parade, Jordan's rich characterisation and the importance of love in upholding social values in difficult times. The novel itself traverses a period of significant change in Australia, and so there is much to explore. Even those with a confident conception of their understanding of the novel should listen in, as this discussion will challenge and inspire new understandings and perspectives.
A couple of post-conversation notes from Melinda:
- Check out page 259, as this is where you will find many pivotal quotes about Connie's death and Kip's reflection after Alec discovers the photograph - "no one expected a grand passion, you see. We aimed for smaller things: the health of our family, being warm, being safe."
- Don't forget that Charlotte had a daughter, Libby, as well. The three women, therefore, Stanzi, Charlotte and Libby made Alec feel oppressed (in his own words). He says he'll "never live in a house", preferring to think of himself in a loft in New York or somewhere in India. But, fundamentally, it is his relationship and respect for his grandfather that saves him from tragedy in that fatal car trip.
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Teachers Talk Texts is BACK! After a brief hiatus, Clare is back in the recording chair, accompanied by new baby Scarlett, ready to talk texts. In this episode, she is joined by Ashleigh Cavalin to discuss one of the new films to the Year 12 text list - Billy Wilder's 'Sunset Boulevard'.
The conversation delves into the symbolism of the film, and how Wilder used this film as a mechanism to criticise and condemn the Hollywood industry of the time. From fancy cars to rats in the pool, listen in for some insights into a true classic.
To hear more from Ashleigh, check out her YouTube channel, and accompanying resources in her TPT store, Mrs Cavalin's Classroom.
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...and Teachers Talk Textsis back for Season 3! Have you missed me?
In this episode, Clare speaks with Punita Mistry about Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. If you are looking for a critically feminist reading of the text, this is your episode. If you are a bit unsure about critically feminist readings of texts, have a listen anyway, because Punita's arguments are so well evidenced and articulated that even Clare was swayed into questioning the absolute nature of Lizzy and Darcy's love (shock!).
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In this final episode of the 2021 season, Clare is joined by Lisa Wilks-Beasy to discuss David Malouf's mythological reimagining, 'Ransom', and Stephen Frears' film, 'The Queen'. The conversation explores a range of points of connection and disconnection, as Lisa confidently moves from text to test, identifying pertinent analytical points. Malouf's rich storytelling and description is placed in comparison with Frears directorial style, including acknowledging his use of real historical footage of the time. Fundamentally, both texts foster empathy in their reader and audience to the difficulties that leaders face in negotiating the challenges thrown at them.
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Clare is joined for the second time by the knowledgeable and insightful Sophia Marsden-Smith for a conversation that explores the big ideas of Arthur Miller's pivotal play, 'The Crucible', and Rosalie Ham's dark novel, 'The Dressmaker'. Together, Sophia and Clare explore the elements of Australian Gothic, in the case of 'The Dressmaker' and the historical allegory of Miller's play, and the underlying fear that is inherent in the communities of both texts. Fundamentally, these texts are important because they reveal the truth of human experience, and how individuals, and how women, seek to claim their agency in a world that denies them liberty.
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In this episode, Clare speaks with Tahnee Dwyer about Christine Piper's 'After Darkness'. The conversation spans the entire text, as Tahnee expertly weaves through the three interwoven plotlines, culminating in a rather contentious epilogue. Piper's incredible skill in characterisation and use of setting to reflect a character's inner mind is explored, as well as the text's capacity to evoke empathy in the reader, to better understand the experience of individuals placed in impossible positions, and the ramifications of this on a life.
If you are interested in more of Tahnee's analysis, head to: https://bearlearn.com/product/afterdarkness/ to download her key quotes and analysis.
Join in the conversation on Instagram @teacherstalktexts
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In this episode, Clare is joined by Tania Castauro to discuss the comparative text pairing of Robyn Davidson's 'Tracks' and Rolf de Heer's film, 'Charlie's Country'. Tania has a strong understanding of the two texts, and confidently shares her interpretations around the parallels between the path Charlie takes and the trip Robyn embarks upon.
Engaging actively with these two texts is a significant undertaking, as the issues and ideas they explore, provoke and condemn serve as critical reminders of our nation's past, and a reminder of our unavoidable responsibility as Australians. The discomfort that comes with reading and viewing such narratives is necessary to catalyse growth in ourselves, in our understanding, and in our empathy for others.
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This week, Clare speaks with the amazing Kat from @bearlearn, who knows these two texts deeply and is therefore able to identify and analyse the fundamental points of comparison between them. This conversation considers the different ways that Szubanski and Lahiri construct their respective texts, and the crucial parallel between them in their advocation of seeking an understanding of one's parents in order to understand one's identity. Kat's ideas and analysis are really interesting and unique, and ultimately reflect why these two texts are important reading for all Australians.
Besides her excellent knowledge of these two texts, Kat is also revolutionising the way we take track our text notes and quotes with her BEAR Quotes and BEAR Learn services (check it out here: https://bearlearn.com/)
If you don't already follow Clare on Instagram, @teacherstalktexts, click follow to be kept in the loop with new episodes and resources being published to support students and teachers in preparing for their exams.
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Clare is joined by Leon Furze for the first conversation about a text pairing this season - 'Stasiland' by Anna Funder and 'Never Let Me Go' by Kazuo Ishiguro.
The conversation examines the undercurrent of threat evident in both texts, and how each author creates such a mood. While it can be said that 'Never Let Me Go' is comparatively a more basic and simplistic text than 'Stasiland', Leon's insights into Ishiguro's authorial expertise reveal the depth of the novel's message. These two texts explore the human condition under pressure, and how love is able to be found even in the more dire of circumstances.
If you would like to download the Listening Guide for this episode, please click here to purchase: Stasiland/Never Let Me Go Listening Guide
To learn more about Leon, check out his website: https://leonfurze.wordpress.com/ or find him on Instagram @leonfurze
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Clare is joined by Sue Hatton in this conversation today, focusing on Emily St John Mandel's Station Eleven. Sue's perspective on the novel is unique, and she provides some interesting observations and reflections about dystopia as a genre, which builds an interpretation of the text, a valuable concept for students to understand for their own writing. Particularly, Sue connects the characterisation of the characters, and their tendency to fade in and out of the narrative, to a broader allusion to religion and the construct of a saviour. This episode is definitely worth a listen if you are studying Station Eleven!
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Clare returns to a favourite text in this episode - Euripides 'The Women of Troy' with Danni (@teachingthevce). While this may be the third episode discussing the text, the direction of the conversation is completely different, beginning with the importance of the text in reflecting the full scope of the human experience - both joy and sadness - and then drilling down into some character studies. After all, who hasn't been a Helen at some point?
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In this episode, Clare speaks with Kirrily MacRaild about Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. Both Kirrily and Clare have a long history with this text, first studying it as teenage students, and continuing to engage with it throughout their lifetimes, resulting in a deep appreciation for the characters and their motivations, but also a capacity to reflect on their changing understanding of these characters. The conversation includes an alternate reading of Darcy, once considered rude and arrogant, but perhaps he is just misunderstood. Let Clare know what you think by commenting on Instagram - @teacherstalktexts
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In this week's episode, Clare speaks with Suzanne Toniolo about Toni Jordan's Nine Days. The conversation considers Jordan's decisions regarding narrative structure and perspective, and how students can build interpretations of the text from these elements, as well as syntactical analysis. Further to this, Jordan's explicit engagement with the hardships that Australians faced during the 20th Century, particularly women, is a topic of interrogation, and the importance of engaging actively with these more difficult and challenging parts of the text is highlighted. This is another episode where students would benefit from having their text and highlighters with them, as particular passages are discussed and page numbers provided.
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This week, Clare is revisiting Euripides' play 'The Women of Troy' with @educatinglaura, who is also a podcaster, hosting 'After the Bell with @educatinglaura'. Laura's perspective on the play is incredibly interesting, and the conversation commences with a discussion of how Euripides is using his platform as a form of propaganda, before a deep dive into the character of Helen and how she functions as a critical character for discussion. The lack of power the gods have is an interesting point of reflection, and this is in parallel to the levels of power or control of characters like Talthybius, Helen, and Andromache. The discussion flows so smoothly, from one point to another which should help students understand the interplay between the different sections of the play, and how you can build an analysis from one short section out to the broader implications of the text. The page numbers from the Don Taylor translation are used throughout, so it is recommended that students listen to this episode with a copy of the play with them, and a highlighter.
- Click here for some more information about what happens to Hecuba, to support Clare's comments during the discussion!
- Click here to see Laura's downloadable resources on Teachers Pay Teachers.
- Don't forget to follow the podcast @teacherstalktexts
Interested in attending Clare's live online session focused on 'The Women of Troy'? Click here!
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Clare speaks with the very knowledgeable Sophia Marsden-Smith in this episode, about William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Much of the conversation focuses on Shakespeare's exploration of the function of marriage in his society, and the problematic nature that marriage is positioned as the antidote to the many wrongs inflicted by the men in the text. A number of scenes are discussed closely, so students are encouraged to have a play handy to follow along.
A note - Sophia makes reference to 'sprezzatura', which is defined as "a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it". Click here for some more information.
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Clare is joined by Emma Ford in this episode, to discuss all things Argument Analysis. The conversation focuses particularly on two past VCE English Exams, from 2016 and 2017, so it is recommended that listeners are familiar with these two texts before listening to get the most out of this episode. The conversation begins by considering the importance of contention, intention, audience and tone, as well as discussing the merits of different structural approaches to this style of task. The importance of image analysis is another key area of discusison, as well as the opportunity this component of the task provides for students to be unique in their own interpretation of the visual. Finally, a good portion of the conversation lies in how students can effectively analyse the how and why of language analysis, and to consider how different stakeholder groups in the audiences will be impacted by the different language choices of the writer.
Find more resources and content at www.teacherstalktexts.com and follow us on instagram @teacherstalktexts
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Emma Enticott joins Clare to discuss Rear Window in this episode, focusing specifically on Hitchcock's use of cinematography and mise-en-scene within the film. Emma's interpretation of the film is refreshing, and moves away from the standard examination of Jeff and Lisa's relationship to a deep dive into Hitchcock's message about the social hierarchy of his time, as well as highlighting the paradox that it is tragedy that brings the community of the film together, not happiness. Every character in the film is lonely, and isolated (despite the relationship they might be in) and it is in investigating and interrogating the reason for this loneliness that the interesting analysis can occur.
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Clare speaks to Rebecca Fernandes in this episode, examining the short stories that make up Cate Kennedy's collection 'Like a House on Fire'. The conversation demonstrates how to dip in and out of the range of stories to find connections - thematically, symbolically, and how they fit together in the 'playlist', to consider how Kennedy explores universal, ordinary experiences of individuals. It is acknowledged that there are key elements that connect moments in the stories together - the act of taking a photograph being a significant one, signifying a desire to create an artificial representation of one's life, and also displays of kindness, or acts of decency, that are scattered throughout the stories.
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Clare is joined by Nerrida Prosser in this episode to discuss Seamus Heaney's compilation of poetry by William Wordsworth. Nerrida's evident passion for poetry, and belief that it is accessible for students is evident in the clear manner she discusses the key ideas and concerns of the poetry. What is discovered through the conversation is that many of the ideas and issues Wordsworth was engaging with in his era are remarkably similar to those experienced by individuals in the 21st Century, and there is scope for students to find connection and relevance in his ideas.
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For the first episode of the 2021 Season, Clare is joined by Ben Taylor, founder of The English Lab (https://www.englishlab.com.au/) to discuss Emily St John Mandel's eerily prophetic novel 'Station Eleven'. The novel explores humanity's innate desire to find purpose in life, and presents an interesting hypothetical that forces the reader to consider what is truly important. The conversation explores this concept, and the problems that arise when individuals struggle to find purpose and understanding in a world that is crumbling around them. Further, there is a consideration of Mandel's possible criticism of a world that is saturated by technology, juxtaposed with the repercussions of a society devoid of the 21st-century comforts we take for granted, like medicine. The motif of light in the text is considered, in a number of ways, reflecting how integral a students own interpretation is to an effective study of this novel.
You can find out more about The English Lab via their website (https://www.englishlab.com.au/), instagram (https://www.instagram.com/the.englishlab/) or youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwLnkUCslDiUs9JWSJPlOtA)
If you enjoyed this episode, and would like to support me to continue creating content for students and teachers, please consider buying me a virtual coffee using the link below. Your support is so appreciated, thank you! Clare
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A final message from Clare to all the students who have listened in this season, and a huge good luck for the exam!
Many thanks to the teachers who have shared their ideas this season: Philip Thiel, Lauren Wade, Prue Bon, Carla Ziino, Hannah Warner, Kirsty Murphy, Lisa Hanlon, Cora Alvarez
Nathan Jackson, Allie Baker, Pauline Canty, Angela Pane, and Prue Richards.
See you next year!
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In this final episode of the 2020 season, Clare speaks with Prue Richards about the comparative pairing of Deborah Mailman and Wesley Enoch's play, 'The 7 Stages of Grieving', and Fred D'Aguiar's novel, 'The Longest Memory'.
These two texts placed side by side highlights the reality of our own nation's experience, as the parallels between America's history of slavery and systemic oppression of people of colour and Australia's own tarnished history are made obvious when considering the novel and play. While it may be an uncomfortable experience to accept and engage with the reality of Australia's own civil rights movement, it is an incredibly important lesson for all Australians. One particular point of discussion was that the Australian system is in some ways more underhanded and insidious, as racism is hidden under a veil of ignorance, in comparison with the explicit economic and social system of slavery in America. However, even though there is a clear enemy in 'The Longest Memory', and the abolitionist movement is a presence, the structure of the novel and use of dramatic irony provides the reader with knowledge that the 'star crossed lovers' will not be successful in their escape, and the entirety of the novel is quite hopeless. But, in 'The 7 Stages of Grieving', with all it's grim realism and confronting material, contains more hope, and more resistance, despite the systemic barriers in place oppressing the characters.
There are very strong female characters in both texts, and this is important, as the authorial intent to empower women (or to disempower) is an active choice for both the novel and play, and needs to be interrogated. A question for the listener - we are seeking an interpretation of why both texts use such strong female characters, as we couldn't decide! Jump onto the Instagram here to share your thinking.
Ultimately, both texts highlight the importance of action over words - in America and Australia, as attempts have been made for reconciliation for reparation, and yet in both countries, people of colour face systemic racism, exclusion and oppression. Mailman and Enoch, and D'Aguiar illustrate to us the importance of listening to each other, to try to understand each other and create a better world in the future.
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This week's episode focused on Joan London's novel, 'The Golden Age', and Clare is joined by Pauline Canty and Angela Pane, who have both taught the text for many years. The conversation begins by exploring the roles of the three mothers in the text: Ida, Margaret and Sister Penny, and the importance they hold in representing the different concepts of womanhood in 1950s Australia. Frank's innate selfishness is also explored, as well as the role and function of Sullivan. The conversation extends to a discussion of the depth of suffering experienced by the children at The Golden Age, specifically Elsa's experiences in the dead of night, facing the real and present spectre of Death. Finally, the significance of Sister Olive Penny is explored, and the hope and optimism that she ends the novel with, despite the challenges she faces in the narrative. Ultimately, the novel is about striving through adversity, and it is a novel of hope rather than a love story, which is an important message for students to understand if intending to write analytical responses to the novel. Key passages are read and discussed throughout, so this is an episode to have your novel close at hand.
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Clare speaks with the very knowledgeable Allie Baker this week, exploring the text pairing of Malala Yousafzai's 'I am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban' and the 2014 film 'Pride', directed by Matthew Warchus. The conversation delves into the points of similarity between the two texts in revealing the untold stories of individuals who are seemingly ordinary, but do amazing things, and then the immediate difference in that Malala is positioned as a hero from the moment of her birth, but the characters in 'Pride' are much more 'accidental' heroes. The mothers in the two texts are compared, and the representations of toxic masculinity, as the fear of emasculation leads to oppression and subjugation of women in both texts. Ultimately, both texts promote a message that solidarity is the way forward, which is a lesson we all could learn in the current political climate.
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This week, Clare speaks with Nathan Jackson about Christine Piper's award-winning novel, 'After Darkness'. The discussion focuses on the trauma experienced by the protagonist, Tomokazu Ibaraki, and how Piper utilises the fractured narrative structure to represent the impact one's past can have on their memories, and their lives. While Ibaraki undoubtedly achieves some redemption in the denouement of the novel, overall, he is not a typical hero, nor a likeable narrator. Listening to this discussion will provide students with an examination of text structure and characterisation, as well as a means to balance the historical elements of the novel with the fictional components. Overall, Piper's novel conveys the message that ingrained power structures and hierarchies can be damaging and also provides insight into a historical period that many in Australia might choose to ignore.
Nathan kindly shared some resources that may be helpful in teaching or studying these texts, found below:
- An interview with Christine Piper
- Chapter Summary by Nathan Jackson
- 'At War With His Emotions' - review by Geordie Williamson
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Clare is joined by Cora Alvarez and Lisa Hanlon to talk about Alfred Hitchcock's film 'Rear Window' in this episode. Together, they investigate how pertinent Hitchcock's film is even today for a modern teenage audience, and how accurately it reflects the zeitgeist of the COVID-19 world. With discussions of the parallels between Jeff's sneering and sanctimonious attitude towards those whose privacy he invades, and the surveillance we ourselves undertake of others through social media, it is clear why this film is so popular to study, and such an appropriate text choice for English students. The conversation also traverses the complex and at times ambiguous messages Hitchcock communicates to his audience, and whether the film can be read from a feminist perspective. Ultimately, a sophisticated interpretation and reading of 'Rear Window' is not black and white, as there are so many factors to consider. Students seeking to present nuanced and interesting readings of the film are encouraged to listen and consider their perspective on the ideas discussed in this episode.
Questions, comments and feedback are welcomed - participate further in the conversation on Instagram @teacherstalktexts
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In this episode, Clare speaks with Kirsty Murphy about the text pairing of Jhumpa Lahiri's 2003 novel 'The Namesake' and Magda Szubanski's 2015 award-winning memoir 'Reckoning'. The conversation begins first with a deep dive into the three (or four) namesakes in Lahiri's novel: Ashima, Ashoke, Gogol (and Moushumi), and then compares to the three characters who experience a reckoning in Szubanksi's memoir: Margaret, Peter and Magda. An insightful overview into the importance of characterisation in both texts, and how we can broaden a character study into a thematic analysis, this is a must-listen for any student or teacher studying this text pairing.
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Hannah Warner joins Clare to discuss the first comparative pairing of the season - David Malouf's 'Ransom' and Stephen Frear's film 'The Queen'. When Hannah speaks about these texts, she communicates with clarity, confidence and knowledge, and is supremely generous with both her time and the ideas she has been discussing with her own students. Sharing detailed insight into both texts in regards to context, key concerns of grief, leadership, the dual-self and family, and a deep dive into a range of symbols and how to compare these in writing, Hannah's reflection is a must-listen for any student or teacher currently engaging with this comparative pairing.
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Carla Ziino joins Clare to discuss Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, 'All The Light We Cannot See' - a text that ultimately explores what makes us human. The discussion traverses a lot of ground in an hour, focusing especially on the binary nature of the two young protagonists - Marie-Laure and Werner: girl and boy, French and German, disabled and able. Carla's knowledge and insight into student approaches to investigating the novel, their preparation for the exam, and responding to topics is valuable, and this episode is worth listening for the opportunity to understand the mind of the teacher and the examiner.
Carla wished to dedicate this episode in memory of her dear colleague Cathy Maloney, and pay tribute to the phenomenal teaching team at Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School for their combined knowledge and insight that allowed her to speak with such confidence in this episode.
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In this discussion, Clare speaks with Prue Bon about 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. Topics covered include the constructed nature of the text, and the reality that Austen was ultimately producing popular fiction in her day, the feminist elements of the novel, and an examination of a series of characters, including Charlotte, Lydia, Mr & Mrs Bennet, Elizabeth, Darcy and Lady Catherine. Prue's experience as both an English and Literature teacher allows her to focus on interpretation, construction, and Austen's style, all elements that will allow students to reflect on authorial intent in their writing.
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Philip Thiel and Lauren Wade join Clare to discuss Euripides' bleak lament, 'Women of Troy'. The discussion spans the course of the play, focusing in on the perspective of Queen Hecuba, labelled the 'favourite grandmother in lit', the lack of support provided by the gods to these women left behind after their men failed them, and some differing perspectives on how to read Talthybius. A deep dive into a challenging play that privileges the voices of women and acknowledges their suffering in a society that traditionally ignored both.
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