So I've finally decided on what I want to rewrite for Brief 1 and that is the shortstory Dustbins by Witi Ihimaera. For those of you who have not read this it's about a rubbish man who talks about what he sees in the rubbish of wealthy people in Nappyville and compares it to what he sees in the poorer sides of Wellington.
As the story progresses, we find out that the stereotype or ideas people may have on a certain culture is not always the case. What we see on the outside isn't whats happening indoors. This is seen when the girl who is pictured as a beautiful blonde is later caught throwing her newborn child in the rubbish due to conceiving her baby through incest.
When reading this I was intrigued and knew this was the story I wanted to rewrite yet Witi had already written it beautifully. I didn't know where i'd begin as it was already written from a Maori mans point of view...after some discussion with Esther, I've decided I will rewrite it from the girls point of view but instead of her being Caucasian she will be Polynesian like myself.
I will write with a perspective of the pressures of being a young Polynesian who is pregnant in New Zealand. And hopefully find some way to express detailed thoughts that'll show what will lead someone to sacrificing a baby's life to save their family from humiliation. In the story no one knew Mary's story except for that she was raped by her brother and father who were lawyers. This is why I want to try and tell a story so that people who are quick to judge can maybe find out what really happened before pointing the finger. I'm not sure if my ideas so far even touch base on the learning outcome for this brief but I think i'm getting there.
I'm still planning and haven't started writing yet, but this is what I have so far. All I know right now is that my rewrite will based on this short story. Hopefully next time I post it'll be a draft of what I want to accomplish..If you have any thoughts or ideas on what I can do to make it better or change it up, i'm open to it all! :)
Hi Luseanne, I have not read Dustbins, but I am now very intrigued! Incest is such a taboo topic as is the rejection of a baby, but as they are part of our society they should be covered in literature it great that you are willing to write about them! Looking forward to reading your work!
ReplyDeleteHey Rachel! Thank you for the comment, you're right! Both those subjects are whispered around but never spoken about publicly.
ReplyDeleteI will do my best to make it worth your reading haha.
Holy crap this sounds really intense! I can't wait to read a draft. Witi comes into my work sometimes and he's a really nice guy, and I love the short stories of his that I have read. I'm not familiar with dustbin, but I'm gonna check it out. I think you've picked a pretty powerful subject to re-write, and I like the idea of making her Polynesian too, should give it a nice interesting twist. I have a couple of questions, though...
ReplyDeleteWill you still set it in Wellington?
Will Mary's bro and dad still be lawyers?
Where do you think the story will start from?
Do you think you'll keep the name Mary?
Regardless, looking forward to some developments!
Hi James, thanks for commenting. I'm abit nervous with trying to rewrite Witi's story though. I hope I make my rewrite as intense as the original without overdoing it.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your questions;
Right now... I will be keeping everything the same!! The name Mary, setting, characters except for her ethnicity. This is my chance to write the story first person on behalf of Mary. I will start the story from when the rubbish man sees Mary and she offers him a drink on a hot day after putting out her own rubbish. This is the first time he's seen her and as the weeks go by she slowly loses the cheerful Mary that once greeted them with a smile.
This is what i'm thinking at the moment but who knows what my final copy will be like, as we all know once we begin writing ideas pop up left, right and center hehe.
I will post a draft in a couple of days, hopefully it will meet your expectations.
Thank you!!