Independent Reading Post #9: "The Loss is Entirely Ours" (Prompt 14, Ch 18-19)

(image source: http://www.indagare.com)

"Life in Australia would go on, and I would hear nothing, because once you leave Australia, Australia ceases to be. What a strange, sad thought that is. I can understand it, of course. Australia is mostly empty and a long way away. Its population is small and its role in the world consequently peripheral. It doesn't have coups, recklessly overfish, arm disagreeable despots, grow coca in provocative quantities, or throw its weight around in a brash and unseemly manner. It is stable and peaceful and good. It doesn't need watching, and so we don't. But I will tell you this: the loss is entirely ours" (Bryson, 304).

This quotation found at the end of chapter 19 (the last chapter before the appendix) summarizes Bryson's take on the Australian continent, connects the book back to the beginning, and exemplifies Bryson's informative yet humorous writing style that he maintains consistently throughout the entire book.

In the beginning of the book, Bryson explains that although Australia is a rather large country full of history and home to 18 million people with whom we share a common language, Australia is the subject of an extremely small fraction of our news headlines. In fact, the United States reports Australian news with about the same frequency as news from Belarus or Burundi is reported. For these reason, Americans know an incredibly small amount about such a large country. Bryson, having known this going into his journey, made every effort to truly discover the country for himself. By placing this quotation at the end of this book, Bryson indicates that he has not only achieved his goal, but he has become passionate about his journey and the discoveries that he has made. This quotation also suggests that Bryson still views Australia as a mysterious continent with several customs that he has still yet to understand.

Throughout the book, it was completely evident that Bryson grew to like the country that defied so many of his expectations. He pictured a much more tourist-centered, glamorous Australia, and instead, he discovered a continent that has not yet been thoroughly scoured by foreigners seeking to discover its many marvels. Bryson also became astonished at the country's history and how virtually all of Australian society today was built up in the past few generations. Bryson's admiration of the Australian people is evident in this quote, as he commends the society for being one of the most peaceful and problem-free on the planet. However, he takes this one step further in criticizing our whole nation for ignoring this entire continent simply because it is peaceful. From Bryson's entire account of his travels and his fascination for the country as a whole, we as the readers can now believe Bryson's claim that "the loss is entirely ours."

Finally, this quotation manages to summarize Australia in enough seriousness to convey to the reader that this continent is truly worth recognizing and discovering, yet it has enough humor to keep the reader happy and engaged. This writing style is what has kept the 304 pages of the book that I have read so far entertaining, regardless of whether Bryson was in a major Australian city or on a vacant desert highway. No matter what the reader's opinion of Australia itself, the humor and description with which the book is written make it enjoyable.