Themes In Yolngu Boy

Yolngu Boy

Characters

Lorrpu
How significant is Lorrpu’s dream?
Lorrpu’s dream is very significant because when he dreams he sees him, Milika and Botj together. He recalls that the dream ‘joins [them]’ and makes them ‘one skin’, which symbolises their strong bond even though Botj has passed away. When Lorrpu dreams, he is able to ‘see Botj again’ and in a sense, his dreams are a vivid reminder of their everlasting friendship and links them to all the memories he has with his two friends. He sees himself and his friends as children, wading through the water. It is an image of the boys not only following their tribal customs, but they also appear to be a harmonious unit, not divided by time and circumstance – ‘one skin, one blood.’

Milika
What evidence is there to suggest that Milika does want to hold on to some
Milika, however, does not seem to be overly interested in traditional Yolngu life, instead of identifying more with the western culture. This is evident when he is seen to take money, his phone and headphones to the trek to Darwin, and also when Lorrpu says Milika wishes to become a ‘professional football player’ in the future. Compared to his two friends, Botj appears to have lost his way and does not identify with anything. He feels like an outsider in all aspects of his life. Botj is forbidden from seeing his mother, and his father does not recognise him. His attitude and destructive way of living makes Milika predict and tell him that he will end up to be a ‘hopeless drunk like his father.’ Though Botj does feel a sense of identity when he is with his two friends, their relationship is changing now that Lorrpu and Milika are preparing for ceremony where they will become ‘men’ while Botj still remains a ‘boy.’ This separation from those around him, leaves him feeling confused, angry, defiant and ultimately very