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Looking for Alibrandi

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Looking for Alibrandi
“I'll run one day. Run for my life. To be free and think for myself. Not as an Australian and as an Italian and not as an inbetween. I'll run to be emancipated.” The novel 'Looking for Alibrandi' explores the senior years of Josephine “Josie” Alibrandi with her struggle in forming her identity, falling in love with Jacob Coote and the unexpected arrival of her father Michael Andretti. Through each of these important ideas the character of Josie, Jacob and Michael, grow to understand and achieve their emancipation.

Being faced with hardships in life in life result in understanding of identity and knowledge. The character of Josie in the novel 'Looking for Alibrandi is exposed to the secret of Nonna Katia's secret affair. “Our lives, just like our names are lies.” Through the use of first person narration we are open to the frustration and confusion Josie is contemplating. “I've figured out that is doesn’t matter whether Im Josephine Andretti, who was as Alibrandi, who should have been a Stanford, who may never be a Coote.” This dialogue displays the maturity and understanding Josie receives in her identity and understanding of her emancipation. Through this momentous challenge the character now realises their freedom.

Furthermore, Josie immaturity lead her to believe that one day she would be emancipated. “I'll run one day. Run for my life. To be free and think for myself. Not as an Australian and as an Italian and not as an inbetween. I'll run to be emancipated.” This dialogue displays the childlike behaviour Josie has lost on the outlook of her life. Through the novel, her self-knowledge grew as she stated, “My emancipation didn’t happen like I'd expected it to.” Through this first person narration the understanding of being a mature adult was shown towards Josie. Overcoming challenges allows the self-growth of an individual.

When a character is faces with a hardship, the way in which they deal with it allows them to grow in themselves. Jacob Coote

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