Wild Geese Analysis

Cruel nature of Caleb gare

Wild Geese is a novel written by Martha Ostenso. The motive of paternal dominance and tyranny imposed by Caleb Gare is clearly felt throughout the whole novel. He is driven by his desire to get more land and therefore more money. Therefore he does not only tyrannize his family, but also his neighbours.
Devoting all his life to just one materialistic goal, to acquire as much land as possible, Caleb uses his possessions to show his power and therefore possessions become his highest value. “Caleb felt a glow of satisfaction as he stood there on the ridge peering out over his land until the last light had gone. He could hold all this, and more – add to it year after year – add to his herd of pure-bred Holsteins
Martin meets Erik Bjarnasson with whom he talks about the fact that their lake is not yet open for fishing. Then Erik invites him to the house for coffee but Martin refuses. The hospitality of Eric shamed him very much. After this chat he decides not to obey the instructions which Caleb gave him and goes back home. “Martin did not take the lake road. He thought with self-scathing of his original plan in coming here – to slip down below the willows and around the bend of the cove where he would not be seen by the Bjarnassons. Such had been Caleb’s instructions – given in full belief that they would be obeyed. He would have to tell his father the truth when he arrived home. Caleb would be in a towering rage, which would express itself in a gentle sarcasm and later in a strange and sinisterly effective abuse of Amelia, that Martin never understood.” (Martha Ostenso 125) When Caleb returned home and found out that Martin did not bring any fish, he had a little quarrel with Martin, after which he went out to his flax field and speculated how to compel Martin to
A dispute followed after that. Judith heard parts of it.”Caleb began to enjoy the situation. “You think do you? Hah! Scared Bart might tell the truth, eh? Rather have Sven taken in, eh? Have him think he’s marryin’ into fine stuff?” “You know – you know nobody around here would marry the girls – if – if they knew.” “No,” he agreed softly, “the people around here are careful of their morals. But that’s no reason why you should take advantage of them. Wouldn’t it be better to wait and find out what Jude is going to be before you turn her over to an honest man?” Amelia sprang to her feet, her face white. “I’ve had enough from you, you hypocrite!” she said, her voice breaking. “It isn’t Jude you’re thinking of. It’s your filthy greed – and the work you can get out of her. If you even told the truth – I might – I might respect your bullying. But this – this I won’t bear it – you – you sneak!”(Martha Ostenso 99) The following passage shows Caleb’s psychical pressure that he used against Amalia in this quarrel. “Caleb laughed under his breath. He spoke now almost in a whisper, as he always did when frenzy had its way with him. “Getting independent suddenly, are you? Mark Jordan isn’t so far away but what I could reach him tonight, before I go to bed.” Amelia shook her head, her lips moved silently. If she did not end the scene the children would know that something was happening below.