Blog by: Bruno Filletti. https://brunosliteratureblog.wordpress.com/2019/09/02/art-gallery-of-new-south-wales/

Hi Bruno, I really enjoyed this blog entry! I firstly enjoyed the way you verbally captured “Milford Sound, New Zealand” by Eugene von Guérard. I like your choice of wording in this paragraph to describe the greatness and majestic quality of the painting. When gazing upon this painting I would have to agree – you are struck with a sense of romanticism and beauty. I like how you have directly contrast this sense of beauty that interested you about the painting with the challenging Captain Cook sculpture. I found the way in which you were able to juxtapose the beauty found in the painting with the sombre tone of the sculpture particularly appealing. I also think it was great to see you mention the way the sculpture challenges typically ‘mighty’ views of Captain Cook, giving you good link to the question. I think perhaps to strengthen this link you could potentially give more historical insight into Captain Cook himself. Perhaps also you could fine tune your blog and check over for any grammatical errors to make it stand out that little bit more. Other than I thought it was really interesting myself to see what artworks you were interested in and also challenged you. Keep up the good work!

Blog by: Lauren Perry. https://australianliteratureblogbylaurenperry.home.blog/2019/09/15/blog-4/

Hi Lauren, I really like how positive you have made this blog! This letter appears very easy to read and well punctuated, it felt like reading a real letter that had been sent to Meg as it flows. I have to agree with your stance, that being that Meg should go for whatever/whoever it may be that makes her happy. I also really like how you incorporated Aunt Daise into the letter I though that was very sweet. This blog led me to think about what it may be that Patrick White might think of your letter. I think he would love that you have encapsulated that sense of ‘mystery’ and ‘poetry’ that is stemmed from Megs and Lummy’s relationship. I think perhaps if you had made this letter a little longer and had some more in depth detail perhaps about Meg, Lummy or Myrtle, it would of strengthened your blog. Otherwise, I really like this entry. Keep up the good work!

Blog by: Courtney Mattick. https://courtneyemattick.art.blog/2019/08/26/week-5-first-class-marksman/

I thought that your interpretation of Ned Kelly was very interesting Courtney! I am particularly interested in how you have perceived Ned’s armour as a form of ‘cape’, symbolically inventing him as a ‘hero’. I agree with this, however I believe that contrast of the black armour against the pale scenery could act as a form of pure identification for Ned himself as his armour is truly iconic. I also like how you have noticed his clothing and highlighted how the sleeves blend with the nature. This made me further think about the identification of Ned and if this could perhaps be a further statement on how the armour does/does not define him? I guess that could be left to interpretation! I think maybe to strengthen your blog you could add some more historical information about Ned himself and how he is perceived to highlight you interpretation of him as a hero. Perhaps you could also talk a little more about the different techniques used and contrasting colours to really back up what you are saying! I really like this blog!

Blog by: Anna Castagnella. https://literaturewithanna.art.blog/category/american-literature/best-blog/

I really like the way in which you have encapsulated what Thoreau means to ‘live deliberately’. I particularly agree with your idea that to live deliberately is to have a ‘hunger to live a life that exceeds societal barriers.’ I think that we are constantly restricting the way in which we live due to societal barriers and this has consequences on our personal growth as human beings; one day it could all end and I don’t think we should be left with the lingering question of whether or not we have grown as much as we possibly can; doubting our own lives. I think you have perfectly encapsulated this by relating it with your real-life experience. Your experience has made me consider my own and what I could be doing to live life with more intent as things happen (like what you unfortunately went through) at any moment of any day.  I also like how you have related quotes to your own experience but maybe a little more textual unpacking of these quotes next time could really add to your critical analysis!