Edward “Ned” Kelly, the head of the Kelly Gang, is a very diversely discussed person. Even nowadays, opinions differ here. Was he a cruel murderer or just a victim of society? Kelly is often compared to Robin Hood who presumably lived in the 13th century in England, Great Britain.
It seems as if every culture has its very own antithetically valuated hero. The Australian bushranger Ned Kelly stands in one line with characters like Jesse James (1847-1882, born in Missouri, USA) and Ernesto “Che” Guevera (1928-1967, born in Rosario, Argentina).
This paper will deal with Ned Kelly’s biography and today’s perception of him, especially regarding current fiction. In this context, I’ll have a look at Peter Carey’s book (published in 2000) and two of the many film versions about Kelly starring Mick Jagger and Heath Ledger in order to compare different perspectives of the bushranger.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- "Such is Life" - Biography of Ned Kelly
- Peter Carey's "The History of the Kelly Gang"
- Tony Richardson's “Ned Kelly”
- Gregor Jordan's "Ned Kelly"
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the life and legacy of Ned Kelly, a figure who continues to inspire debate and controversy. It examines the historical context of his life, explores the different perspectives of him as a criminal or a victim of society, and analyzes how he is portrayed in contemporary fiction, particularly through the lens of Peter Carey's novel and two film adaptations starring Mick Jagger and Heath Ledger.
- Ned Kelly's Biography and Historical Context
- Contemporary Perceptions of Ned Kelly
- Analysis of Peter Carey's "True History of the Kelly Gang"
- Comparative Analysis of Film Adaptations
- The Role of Society and Law Enforcement in shaping Ned Kelly's Story
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of Ned Kelly's life and legacy, situating him within a broader context of cultural figures who have been both celebrated and condemned. It introduces the key themes and objectives of the paper.
- "Such is Life" - Biography of Ned Kelly: This chapter delves into the historical details of Ned Kelly's life, from his early years to his eventual capture and execution. It explores his family background, his relationship with the law, and the events that led to his outlaw status.
- Peter Carey's "True History of the Kelly Gang": This chapter focuses on a fictionalized account of Ned Kelly's life through Peter Carey's novel. It analyzes the narrative techniques, themes, and stylistic choices employed by Carey, particularly emphasizing the novel's unique perspective and its portrayal of Ned's relationship with his family and society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the complex and multifaceted legacy of Ned Kelly. Key terms and themes include: Australian bushranger, Robin Hood, historical context, contemporary fiction, Peter Carey, film adaptations, crime and punishment, social justice, Australian national identity, historical narrative.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Regina Schultze (Autor:in), 2009, Ned Kelly in Fiction, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/129355
