Essay Questions

How do Cornelius and Harry help Thea Astley to build the theme of self-obliteration in It's Raining in Mango?

Cornelius' action of relocating his family to Australia depicts his expedition to self-obliteration. He fails to understand that such a move will destroy his journalism career and family in the long-run. After relocation to Australia, his utterances against racism result in Cornelius becoming jobless. When he realizes that he has lost his job, he thinks that there is no way he is he can take care of his family. He wakes up one day and makes up his mind to disappear completely leaving his wife to single-handedly take care of the young family. Similarly, Harry is a violent character who fails to take responsibility for caring for his family. He ends up committing suicide leaving his wife to take care of the family alone.

What factor resulted in Cornelius' job sacking in Australia?

When Cornelius and his family move to Australia, he works as a journalist. Since he is white, he is accepted in Australia and he is not discriminated against. However, the Australian whites are not afraid of discriminating against the non-whites. Cornelius is not happy about this and he decides to talk against racism and other related crimes. He is using his influence as a journalist to pass across his message of anti-racism. However, the Australian authorities are angered by Cornelius' sentiments against racism and they order for his sacking. As a result, Cornelius loses his job but he looks unmoved. Therefore, the primary reason why Cornelius loses his job is that he condemns racism in his line of duty.

Which two characters are symbolically used in It's Raining in Mango by Thea Astley?

Thea Astley has capitalized on some of the characters to employ the literary devise symbol. For instance, Reeve is used as a symbol of freedom because he leaves his family to fight for his freedom. He is ready to undergo any difficulty with the ultimate goal of attaining freedom. Similarly, Harry is used as a symbol of Connie's reality. Connie has to accept the reality that some of her loved ones must die. Harry commits suicide, which leaves his mother in anguish.