Minor Characters, Secrecy, and Toxic Masculinity: Conveying Significant Themes in 'Past the Shallows' Amelia Damhuis 12th Grade

Favell Parrett’s novel Past The Shallows is the chilling and hard-hitting story concentrated on the lives of brothers Harry and Miles as they grow up and experience the many hardships of life with their father in rural Tasmania. This book focuses on several powerful issues and ideas including the toxicity of traditional masculinity, parental relationships, and, the negative effect that secrets can have on a person. The expression of these ideas is aided in the book by the introduction of several minor characters who help the main characters to express themselves, grow, and provide a point of contrast. The character Jeff is used by Parrett to enable the reader to reflect of the ideas of toxic masculinity; and the violent outcomes that can come as a result of traditional expressions of masculinity.

Jeff is erratic, unhinged, and destructive; his actions towards both children in the book, brutal and shocking. He fuels the fathers’ alcoholism, and provides encouragement for the continuation of the pairs violent actions. In a drunken stupor after a two-day binge, the men torment young Harry. “It’s the littlest retard” Jeff says, and pours him a large alcoholic drink. When Harry refuses to drink this, his father lashes out and...