No Sugar Film Analysis

The American film, The Help, and the Australian play, No Sugar, use similar conventions to demonstrate how minority racial groups in Western societies are discrimated against and how such groups resist this treatment. The movie, The Help, directed by Tate Taylor, released in 2011, follows the lives of three women who attempt to address the racism in Jackson, Mississippi. Through the women’s strength to write a novel from the view point of African-American maids and nannies, the racism existing in Jackson is addressed to the community. Similarly, Jack Davis’ play, No Sugar, published in 1986, also shows how racism affects a minority racial group, by presenting an insider view into the discrimination of Indigenous Australians in the 1930s living …show more content…
The symbolism of the office sign, “Department of Fisheries, Forestry, Wildlife & Indigenous Australians,” serves to convey the message that Indigenous Australians are equal to plants and animals within society, and that they are not recognized as actual human beings. This demonstrates the discrimination suffered by the Indigenous Australians and indicates the abusive treatment that they suffer at the hands of the white citizens. The Indigenous Australians likened to wildlife suggests their neglect of benefits and rights, resulting in the dehumanizing of the Indigenous race. This is again highlighted by the characterisation of Mr Neville, as he says: “Indigenous Australians are dirty people, they are thieves that cannot be trusted.” The dialogue demonstrates the view that authority figures share towards the Indigenous people, along with their belief that their coloured skin represents their dirty culture and heritage. The Indigenous culture is represented as similar to how alcohol affects the actions and language of the natives, while by comparison the white citizens are characterized as well mannered and their actions appear to reflect the proper ideals that Indigenous Australians are expected to share. The symbolism of the rations, such as the soap, given to the Indigenous …show more content…
Examples include both vulnerable girls and authority Indigenous figures within society. One such example is the characterisation of the vulnerable Indigenous girl, Mary Dargurru, as she declares: “I don’t care. You can belt me if you like, I’m not working in the hospital.” Through the emotive language and strong connotations of “I don’t care,” and “If you like,” suggests the agony Mary is forced to endure in refusing authority figures, specifically Mr Neal. Mary is characterised as strong and brave to stand up and refuse to submit to the physical abuse she would endure by working at the hospital. Furthermore, authority figures, such as Mr Neal, are characterised as selfish and empowered, as able to control vulnerable girls such as Mary for their own sexual pleasure. In addition, Gran Munday who is characterised as the matriarch within the Indigenous community commands: “Chergeant, I’m not leaving wow wow behind. If I can’t take him, I’m not going.” Davis’ selection of the poor English skill used by the Matriarch symbolizes her refusal to accept the white citizens’ influence and their aim to civilize the Indigenous Australians. Gran is characterised as independent and idolised by her children and grandchildren, to encourage them to share and continue the Indigenous Australian’s values. Gran is also