He lived in a society of inequality between rich and poor, country and city, Irish Catholics and English Protestants. In the Jerilderie Letter, Ned Kelly described himself as a defender of the oppressed and a "widow's son outlawed". The story of Ned Kelly has inspired artists, writers, filmmakers and musicians. The first book on the Kelly gang, Outlaws of the Wombat Ranges , was printed in A radio play in was a hit. There was a ballet in the s. Perhaps some of the best-known images are in the series of Ned Kelly abstract paintings by artist Sidney Nolan.
Kelly was even portrayed in the Olympics ceremony in Sydney. Clare Williamson, the curator of the exhibition Kelly Culture: Reconstructing Ned Kelly , at the State Library of Victoria, feels the appeal was the subversiveness that Kelly stood for. And the mask. Other men as ignorant and as weak as Kelly must learn from him that it is wise to refrain from bloodshed; that the State is stronger than any one citizen; and that no fictitious romance, no maudlin sympathy will avail against the common sense of the governing majority.
The fact that thousands of Victorians signed a petition to oppose the execution of Ned demonstrates this point. A stronger parallel can be made between Kelly and Peter Lalor, a generation earlier. Lalor's Eureka rebels took up arms, fought troopers and opposed the Crown in a desperate attempt to get a fair go.
Ned Kelly deserves his rightful place in Australian folklore and history. What's your opinion? What do you think of the Ned Kelly legend? Is the story of Ned Kelly portrayed in the latest movie more myth than fact? Why does the story of Ned Kelly have such great appeal? He became caught up in a series of events over which he had little control. Towards the end he was no longer just fighting for his beliefs, he was fighting for his life, and the lives of his friends.
Up until his final moments he still firmly believed he had fought for a just cause. He died a man of honour, loyal to his friends, family and class. He died a spokesman for an entire generation of the oppressed. Friend's Email Address. Your Name. Your Email Address. Send Email. Greta Baumgartel How do we define a hero? What did Ned do that he deserved to be hanged? Why was Ned important? To many Ned Kelly is seen as a hero, to others he was seen as a villain but in either event he changed what would later be Australia.
Was Ned Kelly good or bad? Australia was first inhabited by the Aborigonals the indigenous people. Reasons explaining this situation were numerous, for example the industrialization and the decreasing price of paper played an important part in the phenomenon.
But one of the most important reasons was social reforms concerning education. Essay about Ned Kelly-Hero or Villain? Evidence shows that Ned was a murderous villain who terrorised towns and robbed wealthy pastoralists; a man who broke the law and committed an array of crimes that were both evil and immoral.
Ned Kelly was a villain; an outlaw and thief who is wrongly immortalised as an Australian hero. This incident occurred in October, when a group of policemen were searching for Ned and his brother Dan near the Wombat Ranges.
While searching for Dan and Ned, the officers split into two groups in order to find the fugitives. Even though the officers were disguised as prospectors, Dan and Ned recognised them immediately and began shooting at them.
During the battle, three of the officers died; only McIntyre managed to escape and return back to testify against Ned.
Although some historians believe that the murder of these officers at Stringybark Creek was an accident, evidence shows that Ned deliberately shot at these innocent men.
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