English Department Report 

For this newsletter edition, we wanted to share some of the work being done in Year 12 VCE VM Literacy.  

Here is a recap of students summaries of the unit so far:  

Student: 

"This unit we have been studying in literacy has been focused around issues present in our society. We used the play Cosi, written by Louis Nowra, as our initial studying material and as a framework for much of our work. After having read through the play as a class, we spent a time analysing each of the characters to better understand their actions throughout the play. 

The next section of the unit saw us identify meaningful and impactful quotes that shape the course of the play, as well recognize how they could still be relevant in Australia today. Following that, we each selected topics pertaining to Cosi and began exploring how those issues may have changed up until today's society."  

Now find some of their examples of their analytical paragraphs:  

Kaylah Moore: 

In Cosi, Nowra explores and challenges the concept of women’s fidelity by deciphering stereotypical and misogynistic societal views in regard to love, relationships and fidelity. Nowra demonstrates this through many characters, like Julie when she says, “Men want women to deceive them because it’ll prove their worst thoughts about women.” In response to conversations around fidelity, love and gender stereotypes. These words perfectly depict the stereotypical and misogynistic views that Nowra wanted us to explore. Furthermore, this suggests that alongside stereotypes and misogyny, Nowra wants us to reflect on how assumption and blame is passed onto women as it was/is deemed normal in society.  

In addition to Nowra’s own writing of Cosi, we look into Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte where the theme of women’s fidelity is highlighted most. Through the character Despina we obtain the line, “Women’s constancy is like the Arabian phoenix: everybody swears it exits, but no one has seen it.” This quote is used to convey a feeling of mockery towards women, saying that their fidelity (loyalty) is non-existent and a myth. This suggests that Nowra wants us as readers to think about the impact of assumption once again and how through infidelity women’s reputation is tarnished by shame.  

Student: 

Nowra covers the topic of women’s fidelity in his play Cosi through his characters’ interpretations of the play they in turn are putting on; Cosi fan Tutte. When introducing the play to the other patients, Roy describes it with amusement, explaining “...the boys revealed their disguises and things righted themselves and Don Alfonso is proved right. Women are never true. Hence the title Cosi fan Tutte: Women Are Like That.” Roy’s amusement about this aspect of the play demonstrates somewhat of the ‘current’ (that being current during the time of the 1970s) interpretation of the importance of fidelity.

Nowra may show through this how women are considered to be inherently untrue. Despite this, they are often harshly judged when they do act unfaithfully, creating a strange double standard of believing only the worst of women is possible and yet still being disappointed when that is “proved” true.

Nowra challenges this concept in many ways through his characters’ actions throughout Cosi, one such instance being when Henry states "whether women can remain true is a tragedy.” while arguing with Lewis about his decisions for the play. Nowra could be using this to show that women’s feelings, image, and lives do not go unaffected by the repeated and long-standing assumptions made of them by men and society as a whole. 

Eliza: 

Nowra shows that people can change within the play, Cosi through many areas of the play, including character development. When Lewis is being introduced to the patients, Justin explains that it is a rare occurrence that Henry talks by saying, “… as for Henry here, to get him to talk a word would be a miracle.”

At this point in the play Henry has not said a single word but after Scene 4 in Act 1, Henry has had arguments and conversations with the other patients and the others, this is proven when Lewis says “Henry stop”. This suggests that they want him to quiet down. Nowra has shown change in Henry’s character demonstrating that people can change and grow.  

Elyse: 

Nowra shows how people can change through Cosi by highlighting the way Lewis was uncertain about doing the play. At the start of Cosi Lewis expresses that he’s only working with the patients for the money, Lewis says: “I need the money, Lucy.” Later in Cosi, Lewis and Lucy are arguing about whether he should go to an event with Lucy or do the play. 

Lewis quotes “I’m not going to let them down” which shows how much he has changed and grown and realized how much he cares for his friends. This suggests that Nowra wants the audience to know that people can learn from experiences and change.  

Isaac: 

Nowra shows why it’s important not to judge people before knowing them. “They are normal people who have done extraordinary things” was said by Justin while defending theme, this suggests that these people have more to their personality then you’d think and that it’s important to get to know them before you judge.  

Jethro: 

Nowra explores the idea of prejudice by showing different ideas surrounding the mentally ill. Towards the beginning when Justin is showing Lewis the institution he says, “They are normal people who have done extraordinary things, thought extraordinary thoughts” and when Lewis and Nick first see the institution, Nick says, “Mad actors are bad enough, but madmen”. This suggests that most common opinions about mentally ill people are incorrect and the more time you spend with them, the more you see them for who they are.  

Student: 

The most relevant topic from Cosi today is fidelity. In Cosi, Lewis is drawn to flirting with other women, even though he is in a relationship. In today's society infidelity is easier due to online access.  

Beth: 

Nowra shows the importance of respect in the play Cosi by exploring conflict with Doug and his mum. When Doug is talking about his past, Doug says “He said I had better resolve it, stop her treating me like I was still a child”, “Hi mum, I’ve come to talk about our unresolved conflicts”. 

Doug was trying to get revenge on his mother while she was feeling very down. Doug burnt his mothers’ cats and after he did that he went to his mum to talk about their unresolved conflict while she was upset. Doug wanted to know why he was still being treated like a child.  

Reuben: 

Nowra showcases the stereotype of women being unfaithful in their romantic relationships by having unjust, hypocritical judgement towards the character Lucy's infidelity. This is shown when the main character Lewis quotes Cosi Fan Tutte "Women's constancy is like the Arabian Phoenix. 

Everyone swears it exists, but no one has ever seen it". Lewis said this in judgement of women's stereotypical infidelity but he never brought up that he himself had cheated on her at this point with Julie. This suggests that Nowra wants us to think about the unfair expectations men have of women that they don't uphold themselves.