Homework Week Three

1. The Thornhills journey to their new home is fraught with tension. List
words/phrases that tell you the whole family is nervous/pessimistic/worried.
Words and Phrases
Unfinished
unsettling
secretive noises
sudden rustlings
Is this it then, Will Is this the place
The gun lay close to Thornhills hand
The blackness beyond the reach of the flames was as absolute as blindness
The trees grew huge hanging over them
cold
despair
darkness
distorted
rueful bird let out its cry of regret
sceptical silence
panting
shivering
2. On p.131, Williams first time using a firearm is described. Why is this a
significant achievement for William? What does it show about his character?
What does it foreshadow? Give quotes.
Williams use of the firearm articulates his resolve to protect his family and secure
Thornhills Point. William considers using the firearm as one of the privileges of a pardon
(p.131). Thus, he perceives the act of firing the weapon as a token of liberty and
entitlement, it was something he had earned (p. 131). His confusion yet casual
acceptance of the weapon demonstrates his understanding of the potential damage
the gun can cause, almost as much damage to the man shooting it as to the man being
shot at (p.131). The audience gains insight into the discomfort he feels when
deliberating the moral dilemma: the value of land or human life. Yet despite his empathy
towards the indigenous people, William realises that he has acquired the means to
consolidate his ownership of Thornhills Point. Through his acceptance of the weapon,
just in case, the audience anticipates that William will not only resort to violence in
order secure his land, but he, the man shooting will be haunted by his decisions (p.131).

3. Page 136 shows Williams doubts. How does he overcome them, and comfort
his family? What inspires him?
The Thornhills arrival symbolises much of their experience of settling on the Hawkesbury
as William tries desperately to diminish Sals reluctance and make a home for themselves.
From the moment they arrive William Thornhill is required to overcome hardships, the
mud gripped his feet he floundered towards the bank (p. 136). For an instant he saw
that it was impossible how could this pale faced woman, these children hardly old
enough to walk and talk make any impression on the vastness of this place? (p.136).
Thornhill conceals his true intentions of settling on the Hawkesbury through nostalgically
drawing upon their memory of the River of Thames. He is not only reminded, but becomes
inspired by their own story of survival, they themselves were the same two people who
had already been through death and come out the other side (p.137). Whilst Sal is
reminiscing and longing for her past, Thornhill looks towards the future and comforts her
through mapping their memories of London over the unfamiliar landscape of the
Hawkesbury.
4. Page 141 shows the colonial attitudes to land, farming and the local
Indigenous people. Explain each attitude and how it may present challenges
for the Thornhills.
The British colonists justified their claim to the land through the Aborigines apparent lack
of civilisation and cultivation of the land. Thornhill is quick to make his mark on his new
land, proving his ownership by planting and harvesting corn. However, he quickly
suspects that land has already been planted in an unfamiliar way, by the Aboriginal
inhabitants (p.141). Dick articulates this suspicion: its them savages. Planting them like
you would taters (p.141). Thornhill refuses to acknowledge that the land is already
inhabited and conceals the truth from Sal, shut your gob Dick, those poxy bastards dont
plant nothing (p.141). Dick, like Thomas Blackwood, represents those colonists who had
a greater understanding of the Indigenous relationship with the land. Alternatively,
Thornhills denial articulates the typical imperialist values of the colonists and hopes that
such denial will erase the conflict, the blacks might not exist if no one said the words:
the blacks (p.152).

However, it results in the deterioration of his marriage and

furthermore, sows the seeds for the violent conflict between the local settlers and the
Darug people.

5. Describe the first interaction between the Hawkesbury locals and the
Thornhills. What options does William have? What route does he decide to
take? What does this foreshadow?
Thornhills first interaction with the local Darug people conveys the language barriers,
confusion and hostility that existed between the colonists and the Aborigines. The
encounter begins with words however, unfortunately ends with a physical altercation,
foreshadowing the violent conflict between the Aboriginal people and the settlers.
Thornhill and the Darug man are not able to understand each others words, too little
language to go around (p.146).

Although Thornhill cannot understand the Aboriginal

man, he comprehends the undeniable meaning of the Indigenous man forcibly removing
his spade and gesturing with his hand Go away (p.147). Thornhill offers them pork as a
peace offering only to have the natives throw the food to the ground in disgust.
Determined to maintain his area, Thornhill slaps one of the men however, the sound of
spears being fitted by invincible hands frightens the Thornhill family. Having established
their point, the Darug men return into the forest. Thornhill chooses to ignore the Darugs
warning and that night, Thornhills brave facade, they gone and buggered off now is
engulfed in his silent fear (p.148). Despite the unsettling encounter with the Aborigines,
William expresses that he has no intention of leaving Thornhill's Point as he and the boys
continue planting the corn along the river.
6. Page 148 describes a warning. Explain its significance.
Similar to the way in which William Thornhill had intently marked his land, dragged his
heel across the dirt, the Darug people also marked their territory at Thornhills point
(p.134). There were several spears sent into the earth, hard enough to bury their barbs
(p.148). Their spears are angled and deeply entrenched into the earth symbolising the
Darugs connection to the land. Thus, they are warning the Thornhills that they, like their
barbs, will not be easily extracted from the land. Williams response to the warning is
equally significant as it demonstrates his ignorance as he continues to ignore and conceal

the warning from Sal, dont want her worrying over nothing, with the hope that the
indigenous people will move on (p.149).
7. What does Sals Yard signify?
Sal's yard signifies the division of the vast wildernesses of the Australian bush from the
remnants of her pre-colonial life. Sals sense of belonging to London is so enduring that
she carves out a space for herself in which she attempts to recreate her former civilised
life, a patch of earth that she scraped and swept until it was smooth (p.149). Sal finds
solitude within the boundaries of her domesticated yard and does not dare venture
beyond the stoned border. Rather, she concentrates on her matriarchal duties; washing,
cooking and mending, like any other housewife (p.150). Sal is confined by the comforts
of her yard and like any other prisoner, she had her place and each day, she marks one
of the trees, counting down the remaining years of her sentence (p.150).

8. Are there any other symbols in this chapter?

William and his son uproot the daisies from their pockets in the ground and instead plan
their corn seeds. On a symbolic level, this conveys the Thornhills attempt to sever the
Darugs connection to the land and replace it with their own. In addition, William finds an
Aboriginal engraving of a fish and his own boat, the Hope. The engraving of the Hope
symbolises the colonisation of their land as it illustrates the Hope overlapping the fish
just as the settlers are overlapping their land.
9. What is significant about Williams climb to the ridge?
Williams physical experience of climbing the ridge parallels with the emotional trials and
tribulations he combats in order to secure Thornhills point. Thornhill was blocked at
every turn and begins to feel overwhelmed and sheds blood for the tuffs of grass that he
grasped at (p.153). Furthermore, the moment William reaches the ridges point becomes
the moment he realises that the land which appeared to be empty is occupied by the
Aboriginal people, for a man who had walked the length of that fish, seen the tiller and
sail of the Hope laid down in stone, had to recognise otherwise (p.155) Although the
original owners have not been seen, the engraved rock indicates that they are most
certainly there, just like a master runs his London parlour (p.155).

Describe each of the visitors/neighbours and identify their attitudes/values

and beliefs

Smasher

Smasher is antagonistic and violent towards the Aboriginal people.

Sullivan:

He takes advantage of every opportunity to boast about the way

Sagitty Birtles:
Spider Webb:
Parsons

he learned them a lesson (p.163).

Sagitty shares a similar attitude and temperament to Smasher.
Webb is a fellow emancipist who is married to Sophia Webb.

Loveday:
Mrs Herring:

Mrs Herring is a widow who has a peaceful relationship with the

Aboriginal inhabitants. She provides medical aid to the settlers
using remedies and treatments she has learnt from the Indigenous

Thomas

community.
Blackwood is a fellow emancipist and former waterman of Thames.

Blackwood:

Blackwood employs Thornhill on the Hawkesbury river and

eventually sells him his business.
Blackwood is friendly with the local Aboriginal people and respects
their community. He has a deep understanding that nothing is for
the taking (p.169) and therefore, trades with the Darug people to
ensure peace.

10.What is the significance of Williams experience gaining convict workers?

Williams experience of acquiring two convicts confirms his and Sals attitudes towards
the past and strengthens Williams resolve to secure Thornhills Point. Dans presence is a
reminder for William, that even if they were to return home, he would never be tolerated
as the free man that he is in New South Wales. Thornhill momentarily relives the reality
of class prejudice in England and comes to the realisation that he will never rid himself of
the convict stain (p.176). Sal and William believe Dan represents a part of their history
they wish to forget and therefore, refuse to let him presume on the past (p.176).
Instead, William assumes a greater sense of power and behaves as one of the gentry
which he previously despised, insisting that the convicts refer to him as Mr Thornhill.

11.How does Sals illness affect the Thornhills?

The illness that Sal develops greatly affects the Thornhills and Thornhills Point becomes
a gloomy bleak patch of land. Thornhill challenges his perception of the Indigenous
community and seeks the help of Mrs Herring as he knows that most of her remedies
have been learnt from the local Darugs. Although William disapproves of the methods
she uses, he is terrified of losing Sal. William reflects on his treatment of Sal and
experiences a sense of guilt as he faces the prospect of losing her. Williams whole
purpose for securing the land, that is, to provide for Sal and his children becomes
threatened. Sals recovery is strongly associated with Blackwoods visit and discussions
about the old country (p.178). Sal reflects on her preoccupation with London however,
refuses to give up on her dream of returning to London.