Given the prompt of character analysis, I have chosen to analyze Dick Thornhill (Will's second son). When I think about Dick's character the first thing that stands out to me is his age. As a child growing up in New South Wales, it's been made clear throughout the novel that Dick sees Australia as home, not London. Given this, I think that, within this novel, Dick represents the inheritance of generational beliefs.
While his parents are apprehensive of the aboriginals, Dick, as many children are, is more carefree and chooses to play with the native children in the river, naked like the other children. Dick's willingness to make friends and follow the native Childrens' way of life shows that he does not inherently dislike the presence of the aboriginals. However, when his parents force him to come home and stop playing with the other kids, they enforce the idea in his mind that being around the aboriginals, and acting like them, is wrong. Because of this, I believe that Dick's character acts as a lesson that many of the negative beliefs the settlers hold are held because they are passed down generationally. Before being scolded by his parents, Dick held no ill-will towards the natives. However, I believe that, like most others in this story, as he grows up societal norms will mold his mind in a way to feel threatened by the aboriginals' presence.
Hey Audrey! I agree that Dick's youthful childhood naiveté impacts the way he perceives the Aboriginal people. I'm also curious if childhood innocence affects the way the Aboriginal children perceive him. At what age do the Aboriginal children learn the harm that white people bring, or do they already know before playing with Dick? Either way, I think Dick and the Aboriginal childrens' friendship is a hopeful reminder that peace is possible if people look past differences in phenotype, and recognize that people's shared commonalities are much more important than their differences.
ReplyDeleteHi Audrey! Even though I chose the same character to analyze, I didn't mention the generational beliefs part, which is a very important detail. I think part of the reason Dick and Willie think so differently despite having the same upbringing has to do with the environment that they know to be their home. I'm not sure whether Dick will continue to be open minded or not, as it also seems like Will's arc is teaching him to be more open minded after seeing what Smasher did to one of the natives.
ReplyDeleteI will be interested to see how far Sal and Will let Dick go in his relationship with the Aboriginals. They have made it clear they do not approve but haven't overtly or completely put an end to it. I wonder of Dick will be the bridge between the two cultures—an open minded and accepting fusion of the Aboriginals and colonist. Or he could be the final straw that causes Will to become violent for teaching Dick Aboriginal ways.
ReplyDeleteHi Audrey, I agree that Dick shows how certain ideals are not born, but inherited. Although Dick is Will and Sal's son, they will never be able to relate in terms of the place they call home. There is an extreme difference in culture and this creates totally different ways of viewing life. I wonder how Dick's life would've been different if his parent's had let him keep interacting freely with the Aboriginal people.
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