The ANZACS-White Feather

Context

In 1915, “V.C.’s White Feather” was published in newspapers around the world. The story contrasts
two symbolic offerings: a white feather, used to accuse someone of cowardice, and a Victoria Cross medal, awarded for “acts of valour”. Giving someone a white feather was a form of social bullying.
The feathers were handed or mailed to men who didn’t wear uniforms; the intention was to shame them into signing up for duty. In comparison, the Victoria Cross is the highest military award possible and receiving one was a rare distinction.

The practice of giving someone a white feather was less common in New Zealand than in some other countries. People here recognised that there were many reasons why a young man might not be in uniform. Even so, sometimes unusual people were targeted; for example, a 98-year-old man in Gisborne received a feather in the mail.

As a symbol, a white feather can have different interpretations. For example, for some iwi, a white feather symbolises peace rather than cowardice.

Key questions

• What can we observe?
• What do we already know?
• How might people view this story in different ways?

Possible discussion questions

• What did you think was going to happen when one of the women walked over to the young man?
• Why did she give him a white feather? What did it mean?
• Was the woman showing bravery or cowardice by giving the young man the feather?
• What is a Victoria Cross? Why was it awarded?
• Can you think of other symbols that might seem insignificant to someone unfamiliar with them but that hold a lot of meaning?
• What are some ways that people try to apply social pressure today?

Differentiated Learning

• What the VC is amd what it is for?
• What is a white feather given for?
• Compare and contrast on blog. 

Resources

Conscription, conscientious objection, and pacifism:

http://bit.ly/TeAra-Pacifism

New Zealand soldiers awarded a Victoria Cross:

http://bit.ly/NZ-VCWinners

Explains how Te Raukura is an important symbol to the tribes who affiliate to the Taranaki rohe. This symbol is captured in the form of a white feather, or a plume of white feather.

http://bit.ly/1tj2mVJ

Learning areas

Social sciences (level 4):

Understand how formal and informal groups make decisions that impact on communities.

English (level 4):

Listening, reading, and viewing:Purposes and audiences

Show an understanding of how texts are shaped for different audiences. (Indicators: identifies particular points of view within texts and recognises that texts can position a reader.)

Health and physical education(level 3):

Personal health and physical development:Personal identity:

Describe how their own feelings, beliefs, and actions, and those of other people, contribute to their sense of self-worth.

Relationships with other people:Identity, sensitivity, and respect

Identify ways in which people discriminate and ways to act responsibly to support themselves and other people.


Interpersonal skills:

Identify the pressures that can influence interactions with other people and demonstrate basic assertiveness strategies to manage these.