Looking for Alibrandi

by ancythinks4u (student)

‘Looking for Alibrandi’ Essay

Describe what Josephine Alibrandi learns about herself, her family, friends and cultural background and explain how her insights enable her to achieve her ‘emancipation’.

The journey of discovery teaches us that while we make our own decisions in life our ability to do so is often limited by our family, friends and cultural traditions. Josephine Alibrandi is a third generation Italian-Australian who attends the prestigious St Martha’s Catholic School. During her HSC year she endeavours to achieve her ‘emancipation’. Josie’s journey reveals the discovery of her grandmother’s secret and the return of her unknown father. Her struggle with identity, acceptance and the cultural differences within her society also act as a catalyst towards Josie's ‘emancipation’.

Josephine feels trapped between her family’s Italian culture and the Australian culture of her peers. She believes running from this confusion will lead to her ‘emancipation’, “I’ll run one day… Not as an Australian and not as an Italian … I’ll run to be emancipated.”(page 40) Josie learns from Jacob that her culture is a large part of her identity which makes her unique. As Jacob tells her: “I like that culture in you …and that’s what I’m attracted to about you.”(page 83) Josie resented her Italian heritage because she believed it held her back from her aspirations as she struggled to be part of the world of John and Ivy: “I want to belong to their world…where I can be accepted,” (page 32) This problem relates to many teenagers as various cultures have traditions that they need to respect. Josie comes to understand that her culture is not an inhibition, but a crucial aspect of her identity through the exploration of her ‘emancipation’:“…like religion, culture is nailed into you so deep that you can’t escape it.”(page175) Josie realises her culture defines her character and she comes to find her place in both of these cultures.

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Regardless of Josephine’s family traditions, her family give plenty of love and support. Josie empathises with Katia’s harsh life, realising her problems pale in comparison to Nonna's early years of isolation, “I’m glad that I live in these times. I don't think I could ever handle the… world she lived in."(page 117). The bond between Michael and Josie doesn’t arise until she needs Michael to save her from legal action by Carly. Her perspective towards Michael changes, thus paving the way for a developing father-daughter relationship: “I knew how it felt walking alongside one’s father. It was a great feeling.” (page 16) Michael provides only part of the answer in her journey, and Josie realises that she can’t desert her mother. Josie and Christina, have a loving relationship and Christina provided Josie with a stable and supportive home life. “For a one parent family, we are pretty perfect…” (page 195) In time Josephine comes to realise that she is“…loved by two of the strongest women…” (page 226) Thus Josie comes to realise that it is the quality of relationships which matters most in a family as opposed to the wealth or status of its members.

John’s death provides her with a tragic perspective for her own life and problems. John's life was pre-ordained by his family’s expectations. A problem many adolescents can relate to is parental pressure. John felt trapped by his father’s expectations and his unexpected suicide triggers the beginning of Josie’s ‘emancipation’. “...I remembered when we spoke about our ‘emancipation’… he had to die to achieve his… I'm living to achieve mine.” (page 227) Unlike John, Jacob was“…an epitome of individuality” (page55). He refused to change his ways for Josie and had little empathy for her Italian heritage. As Josie states, “We live two different lives and you can’t understand that.” Their differences are such that eventually they split up, with Jacob wanting to find his own identity.

Josephine also discovers more about her own identity after learning that responsibility is unavoidable if she wants to assume a position of power. She acknowledges her negligence after failing to carry out her responsibility at the walk-a-thon. Sister Louise made her aware of her popularity and potential for leadership when she learns she was voted School Captain. “You’re a leader because what’s inside of you...” (page184). Josie realises how influential she is among her peers though she has always considered herself to be an outcast. “You and your friends are trendsetters…” (page182). Josie matures after apologising for her irresponsible actions-“I think my ‘emancipation’ came at that moment,” (page185). To be admired you have to stand up for what is right rather than conforming to the expectation of your peer group.

As Josie proceeds through her H.S.C year at St Martha’s, she faces and overcomes problems with the truth. As she matures, Josie comes to understand that her family background has not limited her future, but is an essential part of her identity. Josie stating, “If someone comes up and asks me what nationality I am, I’ll look at them and say I’m an Australian with Italian blood flowing rapidly through my veins.” (page 258) Josie comprehends that it is not what you are and what you do, but who you are that makes a person free to accomplish their ‘emancipation’.

822 words