Formative Scaffold

Analyse how Ali Cobby Eckerman uses language to explore collective

identity and ensure the continuation of culture in ‘Inside My Mother’.

Thesis Statement: I'm going to need some help with this; not sure how to make it contain so much information
while keeping it so succinct. I've got quite a few points that I would like to write about, however I'm not too sure I'm
going to be able to squeeze all these points into a little thesis statement that is not longer than 4 sentences.
Points are:
- Unearth → collective identity - family & relationship values and key themes
- Trance→ collective identity - family & relationship values and key themes
- Trance → Continuation of culture - Truth telling and honouring the past
- Unearth → Continuation of culture - Truth telling and honouring the past
- Context
- My own Insight into the poems
- + Maybe the extra points that go with and justify the reasons for the points e.g. collective identity and why
its so. Not to sure if that makes sense.

Also how do I quote correctly, I cant put punctuation into the poem because then that removes meaning however
some of my sentences require that I actually put punctuation into the sentence. For example
“she floats in a pituri haze , ← (thats a comma(not supposed to be there)) (then next line) among the river of
trees” → then do i put a comma at the end there as well?

Topic Sentence 1 (collective identity):

In her poem 'Unearth,' Ali Cobby Eckerman (ACE) delves into the theme of relationships and family dynamics,
using them as a lens to illuminate the concept of collective identity.

Context:
ACE draws on her experiences as a member of the Stolen Generations and her journey to reconnect with her
Aboriginal heritage and family. She explores the struggles of collective identity and the fight for justice and truth
amidst the impact of colonisation and cultural displacement. Her work reflects collective experiences and
resilience within indigenous communities.

Collective identity quote: Technique: Analysis:

“Let’s dig up the soil and excavate the past '' shows Eckermann's syntax choice within the opening line in the
initial stanza which provides the readers with clear insights into the targeted collective identity of the poem. The
inclusive pronoun, a language device of “Let’s”, inviting all of Australia, indigenous and non-indigenous to
“excavate the past '', to reveal and uncover Australia's suppressed culture and truths which everyone should be
cognisant of and educated upon. “let’s”, containing the only punctuation used in the poem, an apostrophe,
exemplifies how targeted it is towards the collective identity of Australia to be involved, which reiterates how
significant the poet's use of syntax is.

Topic Sentence 2 (continuation of culture):

Ali Cobby Eckerman's poem "Unearth" emphasises the imperative of preserving aboriginal heritage through
honouring the past and uses the notion of ‘unearthing’ as a means of truth telling and ensuring the continuation of
culture amidst historical erasure, dispossession and suppression.
Context:
Eckerman asserts a broader movement of truth-telling within indigenous communities, promoting resilience in the
face of colonialism of which she has experienced through the stolen generation.
Continuation of culture quote: Technique: Analysis:
The line “people suppressed by dread” conveys the reality for indigenous Australians and invites readers to
assess the source of that suppression and whether or not they are complicit in it. It exposes the psychological and
emotional toll of oppression, emphasising the importance of acknowledging and addressing the systemic
injustices faced by marginalised indigenous communities. It serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing
struggles to this day for equality and liberation within Australian society. This builds on the key theme the poet is
targeting; ‘revealing the truth and honouring the past’.