History and Memory

 There is selectivity in both history and memory.

 Baker being a historian has a greater reliance on official documentation than memorable accounts to give the details of events from the past. This inclination of Baker's towards history is highly evident at the beginning of the novel, so much so, that he even doubts his own parent's recollections if there is no data to support it.

 [conclusion] Thus it is evident that history and memory share a symbiotic relationship in giving a more truthful as well as empathetic connection to and understanding of the past.

 Independently, H & M fails to give a reliable sense of the nature of past events. Thus the interdependence of both is necessary.

* Eric Bogle's song "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" explores the gruesome reality of the Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War.

* Like Baker's mother, Genia, who critiques her son for "thinking he knows what it was like", Bogle condemns those who glorify the experiences of the war [insert technique]

* Although the song is based on a historical event, Bogle is able to capture the sheer reality of ghastly emotions through the use of form, song.

* Against romanticising of the war

* Some historical inaccuracies e.g. referral of assault by Aust. Troops at Suvla Bay, but this actually occurred by Irish and British soldiers. Bogle has stated that the reference to Suvla was partly because many Australia's connect it with Gallipoli and because of convenience - the lyric was easier to rhyme.

* The very fact that Bogle does not attempt to euphemise the intricacies of the soldier's experiences at Gallipoli, evident through, "...for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive, though around me the corpses piled higher", shows that Bogle is not romanticising history. Using literary techniques of alliteration, he conveys the harsh reality, which is what the memories of the soldier's would be.

* What history lacks in providing a complete overview however, is the delicacies of the total account. For example, Bogle describes an enduring memory, "...how I remember that terrible day, how our blood stained the sand and the water", that no history book would ever include. Memory mixed with imaginative recreation, also helps to fill in the gaps.