Writing as a Political Act in True History of the Kelly Gang
Peter Carey’s novel True History of the Kelly Gang is a compelling and creative reimagining of the life of Ned Kelly, one of Australia’s most iconic and controversial figures. Told in the form of a fictional autobiography, the novel explores the blurred lines between history and myth. More importantly, the act of writing itself becomes political in several ways throughout the novel. By choosing to narrate the story in Kelly’s own voice and presenting it as a personal record for his daughter, Carey turns literature into a medium for resistance, identity formation, and challenging dominant narratives.
1. Giving Voice to the Marginalized
In official histories, Ned Kelly has often been portrayed as a criminal, a bushranger, or a rebel. Carey’s novel flips this perception by allowing Kelly to tell his own story. Writing in first-person vernacular, Kelly gives an account of his upbringing, his Irish heritage, and the hardships faced by his family in colonial Australia. This fictional memoir gives voice to those often silenced in mainstream historical records: the poor, the oppressed, and the working-class Irish settlers. In doing so, Carey’s act of writing becomes a tool to amplify the voice of the marginalized.
2. Challenging Historical Authority
The novel questions the reliability of official records and history books. By narrating Kelly’s life through a subjective lens, Carey invites readers to reconsider what is accepted as truth. This questioning of authority is a political move, as it encourages skepticism towards those in power—whether they be colonial administrators, the British Empire, or law enforcement. Kelly’s version of events presents him not as a villain but as someone reacting to years of injustice and systemic oppression.
By constructing history from a personal, emotional perspective, the novel challenges the idea that history is objective. It underscores how narratives are shaped by those who control the means of documentation and dissemination—making the act of rewriting history a form of political resistance.
3. Language as Resistance
One of the most striking features of the novel is its unique narrative style. Carey mimics the oral storytelling traditions of the Irish-Australian working class, avoiding conventional punctuation and formal grammar. This deliberate choice subverts traditional literary norms and aligns the novel with the character’s rebellious spirit. It creates authenticity while also symbolizing resistance against elite, colonial forms of language and expression.
By doing so, Carey shows that even the structure and form of writing can be political. He reclaims linguistic space for a voice that does not conform to standard English, thus empowering the narrator and his community.
4. Humanizing a Folk Hero
Carey humanizes Ned Kelly by portraying his inner struggles, love for his family, and dreams for a better life. This characterization is far from the cold, criminal portrayal found in police reports or court records. The novel becomes a political document that reclaims Kelly as a product of his environment—someone shaped by injustice rather than born into villainy.
By rewriting Kelly’s life as a deeply personal and emotional journey, Carey engages in a political act of reframing national history. It challenges Australians to re-evaluate their cultural myths and question who gets to be remembered and how.
5. Writing as a Legacy
Kelly’s motivation for writing is to leave a record for his daughter, to ensure that she understands his actions and the truth behind them. This intimate motivation adds another political layer: the need for individuals to own their stories and pass them on. It is a way of claiming space in history, not as a criminal, but as a father and a man fighting for justice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, True History of the Kelly Gang is not just a novel; it is a powerful example of how writing can serve as a political act. Through narrative voice, language, and the reframing of historical figures, Carey uses fiction to challenge dominant ideologies, highlight systemic oppression, and give voice to those left out of official histories. In doing so, he affirms the role of literature as a transformative and political force.