Who's that?
The Aboriginal soldier who is buried alive
Who is Tommy?
"we don't see the skin, we see the service"
Who is the RSL secretary?
Chapel being described as "half-in, half-out" of the doorway.
What is symbolic of Chapel's back and white mixed parentage and his position in the society?
Fragmented and disjointed structure of Black Diggers and The Longest Memory
What demonstrates that memory can come in bursts and is inescapable?
What demonstrates the pervasive nature of trauma and prejudice?
What suggests that pain can transcend time and generations?
The soldier left unable to speak after the war
Who is Bertie?
"they are quite literally not like us"
Who is The Virginian?
"It's a quiet war"
What is literally describing World War I, but symbolic of the inbuilt and somewhat invisible racial inequality within Australian society? Aboriginal people feel like this "war" is "never going to end".
The stage direction that describes Ern, Bob and Norm wearing uniforms "most of which don't fit"
What symbolically foreshadows that Indigenous soldiers may never truly feel like they belong despite enlisting to serve in the army?
"A master of his own slavery"
Who is Whitechapel?
"the only thing that's changed around here is you"
Who is Old Hand (Archie's mate)?
Repetition of "this is the day/night" in Lydia's chapters when recalling her relationship with Chapel
What is an acknowledgement of the positive power of memory?
Characters' names in Black Diggers being European rather than Indigenous
How does Wright convey that the Aboriginal soldiers’ cultures and traditions have been stolen from them, and that they are unfamiliar with their own cultures and traditions? He repeatedly emphasises this pattern to draw attention to the injustice faced by these men, who have to adhere to European customs in their own land.
Lies to themselves in order to alleviate guilt of their actions.
Who is Sanders Senior? (with Cook's age)
Who is Mr Whitechapel? (with his judicious whip)
Who is Whitechapel? (with his justification of his views on the 2 types of slave)
Who is Sanders Junior? (with his claims that he is not sorry for the death of his brother)
"there is only one whip, it eats flesh"
Who is Mr Whitechapel?
The other plantation owners being described as "lions, not men" and "bearing their teeth like lions" and "roar[ing]"
What symbolic comparison is made in order to reflect the power and brutality of the plantation owners? Their affluence and dominance comes at the cost of the freedom of those beneath them. D'Aguiar paints them as savages that sit at the top of the food chain for upholding the institution of slavery.
"warm light fills the stage"
How does Wright convey the comfort and strength that Laurie gains from his faith?
The Indigenous soldier who is "always back there" in his nightmares and awakes to his hand "twitching like a dying sparrow"
Who is Ern?
"they placed me under the act and forced me onto a settlement like a dog"
What is in a Letter of Correspondence?
"clouds of smoke fall like a curtain between us"
What is an example of the motif of smoke, used to convey how people are blinded by their own beliefs and opinions? Mr Whitechapel (and the other plantation owners) constantly puff on their pipes as they attempt to convince others that their view is correct.
"walking against the flow of a busy footpath"
What stage direction shows that Nigel will never feel like he belongs, will never be able to belong, in mainstream Australian society?