Josephine Alibrandi example essay topic

Looking For Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta - Book Review Looking for Alibrandi is a passionate story about a young girl's painful and enlightening journey into adulthood. The story centres around Josephine Alibrandi - an a gressive, di satisfied, and confused final year student of Italian extraction. She has one burning ambition: to find her place in affluent society and to break free from her embarrassing, stifling italian family. As the story progresses, Josephine discovers a vital truth through tragic circumstances. She comes to realize that the perfect world consists more than gorgeous hairstyles, rich boyfriends and social privileges. Melina Marchetta has written a clever and strong story.

She expertly uses the notion of suffering through conflict throughout the novel. This helps to instigate a positive change in Josephine's perception of herself and of the world in general. It could be said that the book goes beyond the theme of teenage angst. It paints a vivid picture of self-knowledge and self-acceptance in the making.

A strong feature in the book is Josephine's discontentment and anger. She is unhappy with a lot of things in her life. She gets angry when they call her an 'ethnic' and a 'wog'. She is bothered by the fact that she is illegitimate and unhappy the she is a mere English Scholarship student in an exclusive girl's school. Josephine is also upset that she will never be accepted as an equal by rich school kid Ivy Loyd. She is particularly angry with her meddling grandmother (Nonna), whom she has never forgiven for abandoning her teenage pregnant mum and lying about her father.

It is worth noting the formidable relationship that exists between Josephine and her grandmother. Their robust characters add sugar and spice to the text. The conflict that exists te tween the two, helps Josephine to confront and accept her feelings, in particular towards her Italian roots. One of the main pivotal points in the book, which earns her self-insight and personal freedom, is when her absent father, Michael Andretti, and her boyfriend, Jacob Coote, enter her life. The reason why it's such a crucial event is because they come into her life as 'rescuers'.

Her father, who is a lawyer, 'rescues' her from a threatening legal suit. It involves the famous and affluent Mr. Bishop and his daughter, Carly (who has her nose punched by Josephine after being called a 'wog'). It's interesting to point out the symbolism used by the author to convey Josephine's social envy. Metaphorically, it shows Josephine trying to 'destroy' the thing she holds sacred but cannot have. Jacob Coote also 'rescues' her from a potential rape incident.

Even though the characterization of Michael Andretti is unsubstantial, both men act as catalysts that bring about change through conflict. For example, when her father bails her out of the assault incident, she expresses her disbelief towards the hysterical Bishops, by referring to them as 'sick people'. She is no longer impressed by their social status. She then goes on to say that her life is not as bad as she thought it was.

Two of the most crucial incidents in the novel that totally transform her is her devastating break-up with Jacob - that comes as a result of cultural clashes - and the suicide of her much loved and privileged friend, John Barton. This tragic act had instilled in her a sensitive understanding of her own family's suffering (Nonna's isolation in a new country and her mum's ostracism). When she asks her Nonna to talk more about her past, she is embracing her Italian heritage and creating a little piece of history for herself as well. A lot of teenagers around the 15-17 age group will find this 'Coming Of Age' book absorbing and thought-provoking. It is not recommended for younger readers because of the sensitive issues inherent in the book: teenage pregnancy, suicide, a potential rape incident and racism. Looking For Alibrandi effortlessly combines the ethnic issue with universal teenage references: falling in love, family problems, the struggle for independence and social acceptance.

Many will discover that reading this book is no different to reading their best friend's diary! The language is almost 'invisible' in its functional role: to effectively deliver the narrator's voice, Josephine Alibrandi. Readers will become involved with her plight almost immediately, regardless of their background and nationality. The novel transcends the ethnic issue. It speaks with a universal voice. Josephine takes us into her confidence by speaking to us directly about her personal struggle.

She then takes us on a wild personal odyssey that makes her and the reader all the more wiser! Why? Because we are suddenly forced to do some critical thinking about who we are, and also, re-evaluate our attitude and relationship with our own family, friends and the world in general.