One of the wonderful outcomes of studying works of fiction is their capacity to provide an avenue for exploring and gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature and the societies we create. 

Our students are often delving into unfamiliar historical and geographical settings and being asked to understand how the particulars of these far-removed times and places shape the views and values of the characters.  

As the Year 12 English classes embark on their final unit of work for the year, they are required to undertake the study of not just one, but two texts – a comparative study – to ‘gain a deeper understanding of the ideas, issues and themes that reflect the world and human experiences’. (English Study Design) 

Two weeks into the comparative study, students are grappling with the complexities of finding connections between the lives and experiences of groups from two disparate settings: an eclectic bunch of individuals in a small rural Australian town in the 1950s portrayed in Rosalie Ham’s The Dressmaker and a joyless group of Puritan fanatics in Salem, Massachusetts during the 1692 witch trials, as depicted in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. This is certainly no easy feat!  

Fortunately, this week they were provided with an invaluable opportunity to enrich their exploration of these texts as we were privileged in hosting the delightfully engaging author of The Dressmaker, Rosalie Ham. Through her insights, Rosalie provided us with a deeper appreciation of her novel, her authorial views, and the writing process. 

We know that for students, personal connection and emotional engagement play pivotal roles in optimising their learning experiences. Therefore, it was amazing to witness the Year 12s so engrossed and entertained by her talk, culminating in them asking her a series of thoughtful and pertinent questions.  

One of the most useful insights she shared was the intricate dynamics of small, insular communities. Drawing from her own experiences of growing up in Jerilderie, a small rural town in New South Wales, Rosalie provided a compelling discussion and dissection of such settings. This provides a great basis from which students can build a deeper understanding of how these types of communities shape cultural norms and influence human behaviour. 

It was lovely to hear the enthusiastic conversations about Rosalie’s visit as the students were walking out of the Nicholas Library after her talk. Here are some student reflections on her visit:    

“It was very insightful to hear Rosalie Ham speak to us about her sources of inspiration for her first book, The Dressmaker. She shared with us her own interpretation of the themes that she included in the book and even made some comparisons between them and the themes and events of The Crucible. It was also very interesting to hear that some of her creative decisions were associated with her desire to express a particular view about insular communities, such as the one in which she grew up, whilst others were based on her writing style and the types of settings about which she wanted to write. Overall, it was a great experience to help all Year 12 English students with our comparative study this year.” Tahlia Guzzardi 

“I found her talk very interesting and fascinating in delving into her authorial intent – sometimes unexpected – and her motives behind writing her first published novel. Whilst reading the book was a wonderful experience, meeting the author herself was even more captivating! Her explanation of her journey in writing the book and the deliberate use of certain techniques and frameworks allowed me to view these oppressive, rigid communities through a new lens.” Scarlett Song 

“Rosalie Ham’s stories about her journey to writing novels and valuable insights into how life in a small community shaped The Dressmaker both deepened our understanding of the novel and inspired many thought-provoking conversations and discussions in class. She was very generous and down-to-earth when answering our many questions about the novel, and her humour and wit made for many laughs from both the students and teachers.” Christina Wu 

The Year 12s will continue to find incredible value in pondering and reflecting on Rosalie’s insightful, honest, and generous discussion of The Dressmaker. It will help equip them to navigate the complexities of their comparative study, drawing connections between the characters’ lives and experiences in these vastly different worlds. Through this process, they will gain profound insights into the workings of our shared humanity. 

We wish them every success in their preparation for the Comparative SAC that will take place in the final week of term.