First, it changed how Australia was viewed by the global community; Australia was recognized as having the location, size, and resources to make it a global power, while lacking the size or might that would turn it into a threatening superpower. This resulted in Australia having a different diplomatic role after World War II. More significantly, World War II changed the domestic face of Australia. David Malouf uses World War II's transformation of Australia as a major element in his novel the Great World.

David Malouf's images of Australia and Australians prior to World War II help portray the image of Australia as a frontier. Prior to the war, the novel's two protagonists, Digger Keen and Vic Curran lead very different lives. Digger grew up in a home with strong feminine and masculine influences. The fact that Digger's mother is portrayed as a strong feminine force is interesting because women...
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