Language forms and features in 'Go Back to Where You Came From'

Anecdotes

Bahati’s anecdote about his experiences in Africa show that he is an intelligent person who was persecuted for his political beliefs. In Africa, Bahati was the Vice President of a political party. Bahati explains to Roderick that in Africa 320 people from his political group were killed by the government because of their different political beliefs. He explains that he was imprisoned for 6 months and tortured. The injuries he sustained put him in hospital for two weeks. The obvious discomfort is shown through the silence of the men as they sit together. Bahati has a serious look on his face and Roderick tries to distract himself by fidgeting, to alleviate his discomfort. Bahati explains that that is why he fled his own country. Roderick asks him if he would return, and he says that he would not as he has a ‘bad souvenir’.

Activity

1. Analyse how the anecdotes represent ideas about discovery. An example has been completed for you. 

Modelled response

Wasmi’s story about his journey from Iraq shows us the difficult decisions he was forced to make to support his family. Wasmi relays to the participants how he was sick on the boat journey to Australia and that he does not like to remember. The narrator explains that he suffers from post-traumatic disorder and nightmares. Wasmi explains that the smuggler misled him into thinking the boat was more modern than it was, and that it would be a safe passage. He shows them pictures of his family. He decides not to go with his children, as he would feel ‘guilty’ if anything happened to them. Wasmi’s story shows the vulnerability refugees experience as they are easy prey to those who seek to capitalise on their misfortune.