Religion and Historical Narrative: Clark's Contribution to Australian Experimental Literature

Abstract

What happens to three hundred years of high European civilization when it is consigned to a few not-too-well-educated travellers left stranded upon an island where civilization is unknown? Herein lies the origins of Australia. This same question underlies Manning Clark's A History of Australia. Given Clark's rich literary intellect there are bold and decorative shades of Swift in Clark's narrative of the outcome. Such literary allusions abound in all Clark's writings, and are an engaging and distinguishing feature of his History.