A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey

Essay Ð'- A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey

"Bert Facey is the epitome of the legendary Australian". Demonstrate this from a study of his autobiography.

Albert Facey's novel, A Fortunate Life depicts the life of an extraordinary man living in old Australia. Facey portrays many characteristics that would label him as being a Ð''true Aussie battler', but it is the deeper and more sensitive side of him that allows him to be labeled with the term Ð'- a legendary Australian.

A legend by dictionary terms is someone who is admired by others and achieved great accomplishments. Facey has certainly both achieved and accomplished much during his life, such as learning to read at a late age. Facey's life was full of private success and were it not for his book; he would have remained an unsung hero throughout Australian history.

Facey's lack of education haunted him throughout his early life. As Facey Ð''hadn't any schooling' he found it difficult to read and write. Facey had always viewed his illiteracy as a personal shortcoming and took pains to not display his ignorance to the world. Ð''Then a waitress came with a list of what we could have to eat. I was stumped Ð'- I couldn't read or write. Then I had a brainwave and decided to have what Mr. Lander ordered.'

Facey was not comfortable with his feelings of inadequacy, and took many painful steps to try and rectify the situation. He eventually, through much practice and determination, learnt to read and write, and was able to pen his novel. The fact that Facey both acknowledged and overcame his illiteracy, shows him to be a man of great spirit and willpower as facing up to personal faults is never an easy thing to do.

Life as an itinerant rural worker was very tough for Facey and not very rewarding. Throughout his early life, Facey was forced to work for extremely poor money and working conditions. Although life was hard, Facey was not one to complain or make trouble. He worked hard for the Bibby's and previous employers, and was a loyal worker and a good companion. Facey showed an immense amount of pride in his work and was always willing to lend a hand to a mate.

During his life, Facey made numerous friends or Ð''mates'. He was friendly to the people he worked with, the soldiers he fought with and his family he lived with. Originally, Facey did not approve of or trust the Aboriginal population, thinking that they would Ð''touch his grog' a sign of the time he lived in, but he was willing to swallow his misconceptions about the Aboriginal people and make the statement, Ð''I knew the blacks were my friends.'

Facey was a Ð''no-frills' kind of man who appreciated nature over religion. He loved nothing better than to spend time immersed in the bush with birds flying overhead and hearing their chatter. Facey had less respect for religion going as so far to say, Ð''It is hard to believe that there is a GodÐ'...the fact that many religions have caused terrible wars and hatreds throughout the world, and the many religions that have hoarded terrific wealth and property while people inside and outside of the religion are starving, it is difficult to remain a believer. No sir, there is no God, it is only a myth.'

This firm stance shows Facey's belief in himself and his own opinions. He never pushes his beliefs upon other people, but is happy to be allowed to make his own decisions. Facey's love for nature rather than church, comes from his beliefs that God was created by man but not for the good of mankind.

As a soldier in Gallipoli, Facey made many friends with the other men stationed with him. Facey displayed more loyalty than heroism to his fellow soldiers but always cared for them like true mates. As Facey states in his writings about Gallipoli, Ð''A sort of love and trust developed in the trenches. It made us all very loyal to each other.' Facey also expressed feelings of concern and