1. Describe the impression you form of Gary Black (Blacky) in the first 4 to 5 chapters of the novel.
I get the impression that Blacky has a shy, quiet personality and tends to keep his thoughts to himself. He seems curious because he asks a lot of questions and also anxious because he over thinks situations.
2. Blacky’s community is literally divided into two halves; those who live in The Port and those who live at The Point. Make a list of the features of the town that you think represent life there and explain reasons for choosing them.
Blacky’s community is a small, run down town with little to do and almost everyone knows each other. The Port is a sleepy coastal town. In winter, the only action in town is the local football competition and in summer the action revolves around the beach and the interest provided by the annual campers.
3. Gary grows increasingly anxious as his football team’s Grand Final draws near. Discuss the reasons why Gary is so stressed at this time.
Gary is stressed about the Grand Final because he is playing as the first ruck and he isn’t an overly talented football player. He has to play against the Thumper on the other team and that scares him because the Thumper is very intimidating and could badly injure him if he tries to stop him from getting a goal. Blacky also doesn’t want to be known as a ‘gutless wonder’ and that puts pressure on him to do well.
4. Gary is something of the ‘team hero’ at the end of the Grand Final and is acknowledged with the club’s ‘Best Team Man’ award for the season. Gary appears a little uncomfortable with this recognition, why?
Gary is uncomfortable about being awarded the ‘Best Team Man’ award because his brother has won that award every season, hence why that is his nickname. Blacky was also uncomfortable with the award because it didn’t intend to get in the way of the Thumper, but that’s not what everyone thought.
5. It is obvious that the issue of racism is a significant theme