Looking for Alibrandi Male Figures
In the novel Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta, there are many representations of how fathers are portrayed in this novel. Question. Marchetta’s believes that a positive fatherhood figure is essential within a Childs life such as Michael Andretti helping his daughter, Joesphine Alibrandi achieve her emancipation. Marchetta contrasts Michael against negatively representations of fatherhood figures such as Senator Barton and Francesco Alibrandi.
In the beginning of the novel, Marchetta represents Michael as an imperfect father who is absent from his daughters life for 17 years. Josie is longing to know her father so she can fill the gap of having a normal family. Although Michael is real, Josie refers to him as a “myth”. Michael is confused and angry about taking on the role of being a father in result makes him non committal “It’s too late. Seventeen-year-olds don’t need fathers”. Josie wants to be accepted at St Martha’s and conquer the social boundaries that are holding her back. “Money, prestige and what your father did for a living counted.” When Michael expresses his lack of interest, Josie feels unloved which then causes her to be dismissive towards Michael and reject him from her life. Marchetta effectively represents that Although Michael and Josie have a bumpy start to forming their relationship, “When things don’t turn out the way you want them to, they can turn out just a bit better”
During the novel and towards the ending Michael is genuinely reflected as a positive fatherhood figure for Josie. With Michael and Josie both dismissing each other at the beginning, Michael shows persistence in wanting to re try the father role which results in Michael and Josie to see each other more often. When Josie gets herself in a pickle at school with a girl named Carly, she depends on her father to help her out. When Michael defends his daughter, Josie truly accepts Michael as her father. “For a few minutes I knew how it felt walking alongside one’s
In the beginning of the novel, Marchetta represents Michael as an imperfect father who is absent from his daughters life for 17 years. Josie is longing to know her father so she can fill the gap of having a normal family. Although Michael is real, Josie refers to him as a “myth”. Michael is confused and angry about taking on the role of being a father in result makes him non committal “It’s too late. Seventeen-year-olds don’t need fathers”. Josie wants to be accepted at St Martha’s and conquer the social boundaries that are holding her back. “Money, prestige and what your father did for a living counted.” When Michael expresses his lack of interest, Josie feels unloved which then causes her to be dismissive towards Michael and reject him from her life. Marchetta effectively represents that Although Michael and Josie have a bumpy start to forming their relationship, “When things don’t turn out the way you want them to, they can turn out just a bit better”
During the novel and towards the ending Michael is genuinely reflected as a positive fatherhood figure for Josie. With Michael and Josie both dismissing each other at the beginning, Michael shows persistence in wanting to re try the father role which results in Michael and Josie to see each other more often. When Josie gets herself in a pickle at school with a girl named Carly, she depends on her father to help her out. When Michael defends his daughter, Josie truly accepts Michael as her father. “For a few minutes I knew how it felt walking alongside one’s