Ruth Park
Ruth Park: A Pioneer of Australian Literature
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Ruth Park was born as Ruth Ellen Parker on August 13, 1915, in New Zealand. She is often referred to by her married name, Ruth Park.
Birth and Death Dates
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August 13, 1915 - November 14, 2010
Nationality and Profession(s)
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New Zealand-born Australian novelist, short story writer, and journalist.
Early Life and Background
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Ruth Park was born in New Zealand to a family of modest means. Her father was a laborer who later became a carpenter, and her mother was a homemaker. The family moved frequently during Ruth's childhood, eventually settling in Auckland. She developed a love for reading and writing at an early age, influenced by her mother's stories and the works of William Shakespeare.
Park's interest in literature led her to pursue a career as a journalist. She began writing articles for local newspapers while still in high school and continued to write throughout her life. In 1937, she married Darcy Niland, a journalist and writer himself, and the couple moved to Australia in 1942.
Major Accomplishments
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Ruth Park's most significant accomplishment is undoubtedly her contribution to Australian literature. Her novels often explored themes of poverty, social inequality, and the lives of working-class people, providing a unique perspective on Australian society during the mid-20th century.
Some of her notable works include:
The Harp in the South (1948) - a novel that explores the lives of two families living in poverty in Sydney's housing commission flats.
Poor Man's Orange (1955) - a sequel to The Harp in the South, which continues the story of Clancy and Patsy Connor.
Park's writing has been praised for its vivid portrayal of Australian life, its strong female characters, and its ability to tackle complex social issues with sensitivity and nuance.
Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to her novels, Park was a prolific writer of short stories, articles, and essays. She was also an active participant in various literary organizations and festivals throughout her career.
Park's contributions to Australian literature have been recognized through several awards and honors, including the 1967 Miles Franklin Literary Award for The Harp in the South.
Impact and Legacy
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Ruth Park's impact on Australian literature cannot be overstated. Her novels have had a lasting influence on the development of Australian writing, providing a unique perspective on the country's social and cultural landscape.
Park's legacy extends beyond her literary contributions as well. She was a trailblazer for women writers in Australia, paving the way for future generations of female authors. Her commitment to social justice and her ability to tackle complex issues with sensitivity have made her a respected figure in Australian literature.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Ruth Park is widely quoted and remembered for her insightful portrayals of Australian life, her strong female characters, and her commitment to social justice. Her novels continue to be widely read and studied today, providing a valuable window into the country's past and its ongoing struggles with poverty, inequality, and social change.
Park's legacy extends beyond her writing as well. She was a passionate advocate for social justice and a vocal critic of Australian society's treatment of marginalized groups. Her commitment to creating a more just and equitable society continues to inspire writers, readers, and social activists today.
Quotes by Ruth Park
What has being a girl to do with anything if a person in properly qualified?′... ‘It’s what you call prejudice,’ she said.
Then she said, with piteous defiance, “If I could love her, the Good Lord could, and he won’t be too hard on an old lady who didn’t have an easy life.
Elva had said nothing to anyone. She prayed earnestly that she was “all right”, explaining over and over again to God what the doctor had said, and how she couldn’t properly look after the children she already had. Elva liked to pray in front of a statue similar to the one in her mother’s living-room. She was not praying to the statue, but it was a kind of magical doll that kept her thoughts focussed on the Being to whom she prayed.
The announcer, in milky tones, rolled out the commercial; it was all about some sort of washing powder that made laundry days a mere frolic in the backyard.
Having a baby is different from all the ordinary ways of being hurt. it’s worth it all. Other pain isn’t worth anything, but that is.
Writing is a passion I have never understood, yet a storyteller is all I have ever wanted to be.
The world is full of novels in which characters simply say and do. There are certainly legitimate genres in which this is sufficient. But in real and lasting writing the character is.
In a still hot morning, the tide went out and didn't come back in. This was not a spectacular event. The sea did not roll up like a scroll, like the sky in Revelations. It quietly withdrew.
He who climbs a cliff may die on the cliff, so what? Always a risk-taker by nature, now I became one by intent.
"You know, Mouse," Tabby said, "a brilliant cat like me should have smart friends; people who can count to more than four." "I can count to more than four," answered Mouse, very offended. "And I can do hard sums, and I know geography and history, and I can knit and ..."