The Secret River

The colonisation of European settlers in Australia can be commonly considered as a conflicting historical event, represented by the intense discrimination towards the indigenous people, accompanied by the prevalent ignorance of Aboriginal land rights and the traditional value and culture. Recently reconciliation was achieved, resulting in the recognition of the inequality experienced by indigenous people, depicted by various Australian texts, with drama being arguably one of the most influential for its wide acceptance in the population as well as the allowance for exploration into diverse aspects of Australia’s multicultural society. The play “The Secret River” adapted by Andrew Bovell is one of the most significant texts representing its
This is especially juxtaposed in the period of colonization of Australia by the ignorant attitude that most settlers has towards the indigenous Australians, as illustrated in act 1 scene 7, where Thornhill is trying to explain to the aborigines that he now owns the land. In the dialogue ’I can fetch a gun and blow your heathen head off easy as anything’, the reference of indigenous people as ‘heathen’ expresses the discrimination and also suggests the dissimilarity of the two cultures, while the negatively collective term generalises the race and denies presence of individuality, thus preventing the establishment of relationships of people from the two culture. Further, the reference to weapon and violence symbolises the fundamental treatment of white settlers to the indigenous Australians, as well foreshadowing the final tragedy of the story, therefore emphasising the conflict between two distinct cultures as a result of contradictory values and discrimination
The two different possibilities are personified by the two characters, Smasher Sullivan and Thomas Blackwood, which allows the responder to recognise the faulty decision made in the past through the characterisation of the two personalities. Smasher Sullivan signifies the violent, discriminative attitude that was adopted in the history while his aggressive and vulgar personalities had created a despicable character to the responders. Contrastingly, Thomas Blackwood symbolises the peaceful harmony of white and indigenous Australians by his remarkable acceptance to the aboriginal culture and his received recognition from the indigenous community. Moreover, the attitude of Thornhill, who pose as an ordinary settler during the time, was being represented by his boat “The Hope” which was originally bought from Blackwood. The initial neutral attitude of Thornhill to the indigenous people indicates the influence of Blackwood as correspond with the former owner of the boat, while the later inclination to Smasher was being symbolised by the significance of the boat in the massacre of the aborigines of transportation. This signifies the decision made by most people in the period of colonisation of Australia, as well presents an ideal alternative path of