The Last Outlaw: Ned Kelly as Australian Icon
The Last Outlaw:
Ned Kelly as Australian Icon
By:
Rynatha Vietadiella P.
121012096
English Department, Faculty of Humanities
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Airlangga University
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Introduction Every nation must have a historical figure of the hero which is attached as their identity. Usually they are figures which opponents of the law arbitrary, defender of the oppressed, close by the poor. The most memorable of them, of course, their courage. The common themes of outlaw cross nationally, such as “friend of the poor, oppressed, forced into outlawry, brave, generous, courteous, does not indulge in unjustified violence, trickster, betrayed, lives on after dead” (Tranter and Donoghue 2010). It can be seen in many outlaws such as Robin Hood in England, Jesse James and Billy the Kid in United States, si Pitung as Indonesian local outlaw, and Australian’s Ned Kelly. Those outlaws were more than criminals, but for the poor people and law victims, they were a hero and salvation. The characteristics associated with outlaw heroes – rebellious but brave, fighters against injustice and oppression, chivalrous in their treatment of women and the poor, and embodying a sense of fair play – comprise the characteristics generally associated with Ned Kelly in Australia (Tranter and Donoghue 2010). It is about 131 years since Ned Kelly, the Last Outlaw, was hanged at Melbourne Gaol for criminal acts he did. However, until now the name of Ned Kelly continued to live as a part of history and culture of Australia. Many media have perpetuated the story in various forms and leave a lasting impression on Australian society. Although his lifetime filled with a hard life and closely with the criminal world, the heroic story in Ned Kelly’s life has established him as a symbol of Australian identity and most famous legendary icon in Australia. It is inevitable until recent time, people have two points of views for Ned Kelly
Ned Kelly as Australian Icon
By:
Rynatha Vietadiella P.
121012096
English Department, Faculty of Humanities
-------------------------------------------------
Airlangga University
-------------------------------------------------
Introduction Every nation must have a historical figure of the hero which is attached as their identity. Usually they are figures which opponents of the law arbitrary, defender of the oppressed, close by the poor. The most memorable of them, of course, their courage. The common themes of outlaw cross nationally, such as “friend of the poor, oppressed, forced into outlawry, brave, generous, courteous, does not indulge in unjustified violence, trickster, betrayed, lives on after dead” (Tranter and Donoghue 2010). It can be seen in many outlaws such as Robin Hood in England, Jesse James and Billy the Kid in United States, si Pitung as Indonesian local outlaw, and Australian’s Ned Kelly. Those outlaws were more than criminals, but for the poor people and law victims, they were a hero and salvation. The characteristics associated with outlaw heroes – rebellious but brave, fighters against injustice and oppression, chivalrous in their treatment of women and the poor, and embodying a sense of fair play – comprise the characteristics generally associated with Ned Kelly in Australia (Tranter and Donoghue 2010). It is about 131 years since Ned Kelly, the Last Outlaw, was hanged at Melbourne Gaol for criminal acts he did. However, until now the name of Ned Kelly continued to live as a part of history and culture of Australia. Many media have perpetuated the story in various forms and leave a lasting impression on Australian society. Although his lifetime filled with a hard life and closely with the criminal world, the heroic story in Ned Kelly’s life has established him as a symbol of Australian identity and most famous legendary icon in Australia. It is inevitable until recent time, people have two points of views for Ned Kelly
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