Themes

The Shifting Heart

Conflict

Conflict is complex around the Bianchi’s family throughout the play, and is easily demonstrated through the constant drama and issues that take place within the family. I believe the playwright, Richard Beynon, conveys this through the use of Gino, and the trouble he experiences within their eight years in Australia. Despite Gino being classified as an Australian citizen, he is still discriminated against, which brings more devastation towards the Bianchis family especially after his death, as the Bianchis believe he was going to be the one who would unite their family closer.

 There is great conflict among Gino and the Australian community, as Gino often ends up in arguments and fights which give his reputation and heritage a poorer name. Although Gino, unlike the rest of the Bianchi family, actually stands up for what he believes in, he will still find himself being discriminated against and thus as a result this ultimately leads to his death. As with the rest of the Bianchi family, they do not take great pride in showing that they should have equal rights as everyone else within Australia, which therefore does not result well for them.

Family
 I believe the Bianchi family experience many harsh and significant events within their lives and thus the play, and yet are always there to help one another overcome these issues and events. Poppa Bianchi, the father of Gino Bianchi is a naive but passionate father towards Gino who observes how Gino is accepted by the community for who he is. He communicates that Clarry, Poppa’s son-in-law, does not really appreciate Gino, which is witnessed when the family give Christmas presents to one another. I feel that he is ashamed that Gino likes him and that he does not want to go into business with Gino, “The number of times I’ve been with him when he’s introduced Gino to people, but not once did he call him his brother in-law, never once”. The quote said by Maria, Clarry’s wife and...