Whales (Symbol)
The Aboriginal people and the European settlers find commonality in whale hunting. Though whales are a resource to both groups they hold different perspectives on what whale hunting is all about. The European settlers introduce the idea of whaling for profit and expansion whilst the Aboriginals prefer it as a way of life and source of food. Therefore whales act as a symbol of the Natives culture and not just a source of profit or resources. The European rapidly deplete the supply of whales which symbolizes the erasure of native culture by foreigners.
Colonialism (Motif)
The narrative showcases the harmony that exists when the locals welcome the settlers to their land. Consequently highlights the issues that arise when their interests conflict and the harmony is lost. The idea of colonialism is shown from the standpoint of both groups demonstrating conflicting opinions. The story illustrates the European settler imposing their rules and modernization on the Aboriginal Noongar people. But to the Aboriginal locals, they are not beneficial but destructive to their culture and land.
Deadman Dance (Allegory)
The story focuses on how people from different cultures and worlds perceive each other. Dancing is a big part of the local culture they create the deadman dance to mimic the rigid movement of the European strangers. They view them as lacking the life-force which they consider they possess themselves hence the term ‘dead man’. The dance acts as an allegory to the nature and culture of the western people and civilization. In that, the Noongar people view them as deficient of the same spirit that defines their way of life.
Beach (Symbol)
The settler and the Aboriginal people made their first contact in the Albany region. It is termed as the friendly frontier because there was harmony for a while before violence erupted. Thus, the beach symbolizes this harmonious contact that nurtured the friendly frontier. The beach was where the contact took place as the settlers took dock in the region’s waters. Furthermore, their whale hunting activities brought the union between the groups at the seashore.
Language (Motif)
The tale highlights the nature of language and its power in transcending different dialects. The European settlers and the Aboriginals manage to communicate as both their languages foster a new form of language. Subsequently indicating how different cultures produced new vernaculars in the process of understanding one another.
