Genre
Realism, Australian History
Language
English, with elements of traditional Aboriginal Nyoongah language.
Setting and Context
Northam; Moore River Settlement, during the Assimilation period of Australian history (late 1920s-1930s).
Narrator and Point of View
Tone and Mood
At times comic, tragic, dramatic, historical, straightforward
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonists of the play are the members of the Millimura family, in particular Jimmy and Joe. The antagonists of the play are the white Australians who abuse their power, such as Mr. Neville and Mr. Neal.
Major Conflict
The primary conflict that arises within the play is due to the strained relationships between Aboriginals and white Australian officials, whose Assimilation ideals are actually thinly veiled racist campaigns to displace and disempower Aborigines.
Climax
The climax of the play occurs in Act 4 Scene 5, as the Aborigines and the white officials of the Moore River Settlement celebrate Australia Day. Mr. Neville gives a speech that can be considered offensive to the Aboriginal natives, as he commemorates the invasion that occurred and discusses the land as belonging to the white people. In the midst of an angry tirade protesting Neville's speech, Jimmy has a heart attack.
Foreshadowing
Understatement
There are many understatements within the dialogue of white Australian officials, who minimize the horrific nature of the experiences of the Aborigines following European invasion.
Allusions
Allusions to the genocide of natives in Tasmania, and to the Bible.
Imagery
The imagery of the reservations and the natural landscape of Western Australia.
Paradox
Parallelism
Personification
Use of Dramatic Devices
Perambulant model, which is utilized to show multiple scenes at once.