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Dick Thornhill's Character

 Of all the characters I read about this week, I found Dick to be the most intriguing. Growing up as an only child, I spent a lot of one-on-one time with my parents. I watched what they did and how they interacted in the world. I believe that a parent's actions have drastic affects on their child. I acknowledge some think that children have independence of thought and can therefore stray away from their parent's line of thinking. However, parents show their children how to get along in the world starting at day one. It did not surprise me that Willie accepted his father's treatment towards the Natives. He saw his role-model doing it and therefore saw it as just. Dick, however, strays away from his father's line of thinking and develops relationships with the local Aboriginal people. It is amazing to me that Dick can think so independently at such a young age. I would have expected him to be indoctrinated like his other siblings. Dick straying away from his family to be with the Aboriginal people was described as a very rare choice in The Secret River. This demonstrates to us that during early Australian colonial history, colonists were petrified by the Aboriginals. Dick represents the ability to accept new ideas rather than become hostile. He provides a different perspective on the Aboriginal people from most of the other characters in the novel. 

Comments

  1. Eloise DanielloJanuary 29, 2023 at 10:32 PM

    Hi James! I really like how you personal you made this blog post, connecting it to your own life and using your experiences in contrast to experiences the characters in the book might have. I too think it is really interesting how Dick strays from his family's line of thinking. I think it is also cool how fearless he is. Although his parents seem frightened of the Aboriginals, he takes no caution when it comes to trying to learn more about them. I'm really happy Grenville included him as a character in the story as I think he does add a new perspective as you mentioned.

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  2. Noah English 11H BlogJanuary 29, 2023 at 10:58 PM

    Dick seems to be a blank page that is engaging with the Aboriginals without a fundamental and internalized disdain and superiority complex towards them. Dick is unadulterated by European discrimination and social hierarchies. So, he is able to connect with and understand the Aboriginals in way that Will, Sal, and Willie never have and probably will never be able to.

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