Nona And Me Sparknotes

The novel, Nona and Me, authored by Clare Atkins, describes the struggle of finding one's identity when it is influenced by culture, peers, and history. Atkins describes the divide between the ‘Yolngu’ and ‘Anglo Australians’ through the vessel known as Rosie. The idea that one “should stick to [their] own kind” is explored through the struggles Rosie faces from day to day as an Anglo Australian living in Yirrkala surrounded by her adopted Yolngu community. Nona and I illustrate how values and beliefs, often shaped by family and community, influence identity and relationships, showing both the conflict and growth that arise when these values are challenged. Rosie is introduced as a troubled teen with no clue as to who she is. Facing an identity crisis Rosie is met with multiple
As Rosie is caught between both sides, she struggles with herself as “[she] constantly puts down, Yirrkala down but part of [her] wants to defend it.” Close to the beginning Rosie is met with a moral dilemma as Selena her ‘best friend’ decides to make racist comments towards her ‘adopted’ Yolngu sister Nona. Selena raises her voice, aiming to reach Nona to suggest that she should “steal some [alcohol] and sell it to the drunks outside Woolworths”. Make a fortune.” Further to add to her ignorance she decides to ask for Nona’s opinion, “what do you think of Nona? Reckon they’d buy it?” As Rosie was a bystander to this act of ignorance, she is met with the decision of defending her ‘old friend’ Nona or standing by and laughing it off with Selena, essentially strengthening her ability to stand by her values which helped shape her identity. Atkins tries to demonstrate the tremendous impact values, beliefs and relationships have on deciding who “one kind” is and who they should stick by. Throughout the novel Atkins emphasises that one’s physical appearance does not determine their community but rather their values, experiences, and