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student
CHAPTER 9 PP.52-54
p.52 Blacky shows concern for his physical appearance and compares himself to Dumby
Red.
He has a “severe occipital occlusion”, in other words Buck teeth. “Geeze, mate, you
could eat an apple through a bird cage.” He envies Dumby; “I wanted a smile just like
Dumby Reds, a smile that made other people feel good.” But unfortunately his family
couldn’t afford the orthodontist.
He openly loves his mother and shows great affection for her in the “teeth anecdote” but
he does not share the same open communication with his father.-p.54 “I didn’t -for a
start, I was always in bed when he came home besides, I knew what he’d say.”
CHAPTER 10 PP.55-62
The setting of the narrative is discussed. The layout of the town is given, “Either you
were in the centre of the town or you weren’t in town at all.” P.56
Similes and metaphors are used to help the reading audience to visualise the setting, “The
Sea was grey and lumpy looking, like old porridge.” The jetty and the shed are described
in detail and we are provided with Gary’s opinion of the graffiti, “I’d never seen a girl
carve her initials. Actually I’d never seen a girl write any graffiti.”P.57
*Is this a stereotype? Why was he angry at his sister for the graffiti written about her
instead of being angry at those who wrote it?
The Point is discussed. “ I’d never been to the Point…But then we started thinking about
the storiesthey toldin the front bar- wild Nungas with spears, boomerangs that came from
nowhere and knock you senseless. We got scared and ran all the way back to the Port.”STEREOTYPE
Pickles Mickle is introduced and described in detail; “Meet Pickles Mickle, one of my
very bestest friends.”He has a highly developed interest in sex;” as usual he was lying.”p.
59 Pickles “ had the munga.( fungas) Real bad.” P.59 His appauling personal hygine is
discussed in detail on page60.
*If Pickles was such a hopeless footballer, how did he make it in to the team?p.58
*Why did Gary hang around with him?- “So why did I hang around with him?”p.60.
The Storm is introduced for the first time and there is an indication that the incident
played a large part in the demise of Gary’s relationship with his father.
*It is important to Gary that Pickles doesn’t know the significance of that event, “he
didn’t know the rest , only me and the old man did. Thank God.” Why?
The suspense is developed and the narrator explains why we are about to be told, “As
Dumby would say, it shames me, brudda. But I’ve got no choice, its prt of the story after
all.”p.62
CHAPTER 11 PP.63-77
The Storm: This chapter explains the poor relationship Gary shares with his father.
Origins and appearance of his father are described on page 65.
The community small mindedness is explored in the squid anecdote on page 66. it seems
there is not much cultural awareness or tolerance in this town.-Wogs, froggies,
Continentals.
The fear Gary displays on this fishing trip is real and well founded, yet his father is
unable or unwilling to acknowledge it and comfort his son. P. 75 “we’re all gunna die, I
said. I believed it too.
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
The key moment that shamed Gary is: “’I never want you on my boat again, he
said, slowly, emphatically…My own son a gutless wonder. A gutless fucking
wonder….I rubbed my forehead I’d never felt so ashamed in all my life.” Gary is
tagged by someone he wanted the love and respect from. He has been labelled.
*Was this fair??
CHAPTER 12 PP.77-82
Coastal description and more on the relationship with his mother.
His love of reading is explored especially his fascination for M& B”s. Mum reads Mills
and Boon Romance novels and woman’s weekly and Women’s Day. Gary likes to catch
up on his M&B p.79 reading in the toilet and there is a funny anecdote of how, not
finishing any of the books may have a profound affect on his future love life. “I’d be
really good at the first bit,…but I’d be hopeless later on , because I hadn’t read those
chapters.” His mum is not happy with this habit, “Mum wanted me to read books that
improved my mind.” P.80
Gary constantly looks for opportunity to prove too his father that he “is not a gutless
wonder.”p81 “I really wanted him to go to the Grand Final. I don’t know why, maybe I
wanted to show him I wasn’t so gutless after all.” P. 81
*Parents seem incompatible. What have Gary’s parents got in common? How does the
anecdote of Jimmy Downes relate to his parents? Do you think it is true that girls are
attracted to ‘bad/dangerous boys’?p.82
CHAPTER 13 PP.83-85
Night before the grand Final.
*Mum always stays up to serve dad dinner even if it is after midnight.
What does this tell us about Gary’s mum?
Gary has pre-game nerves.
CHAPTER 14 PP.86-110
The morning of the Grandfinal. Pre- match jitters .
The caring side of mum is further revealed by the great breakfast she prepares, “mum had
attempted to recreate Mount Kosciusko using nothing but common foodstuffs.” P.88,
“Being early was like a religion to her.”p.88
Constant concern whether father will attend unsettles him.
Description of Grills Lillee-typical farming family stereotyped.-p.93 “ He looked like all
farmers…”
*How does mum feel about the Mickles family? P.96 “Imagine at this time of day!”
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
Note Pickles underlying racism when Dumby arrives at the football ground“Come on, let’s go see them!, I said to Pickles.
Nah, you go .He’s your mate, not mine.”
Despite having a poor relationship with his father Gary still hungers for the opportunity t
gain his respect and love. “There were plenty of dads there too. I looked around but I
couldn’t see mine, not even over at the beer tent.”p.99
Gary feels the burden of trying to live up to his responsibility as First Ruck. He is afraid
of letting others down and maybe proving that he really is ”a gutless wonder.” Maybe his
best just won’t be good enough because “WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING IT’S THE
ONLY THING. ” p.101
*Read on page 101 what his father has to say about winners- is it really that easy to be
a winner?
*During Arks motivational speech/ pep talk (on page 102 beginning “ Yes it is….even
if it wasn’t quite mine.’) What is Gary really worried about?
Mum the hero’s advice. page 105-“ It worked, of course. Like I told you, my mum was a
fair- dinkum tactical genius.”
The team staged an exciting come back and it was a close and exciting game.
*Dumby Red took a star mark and even though he was right in front and a great kick
he passes the ball of to Clemboy, WHY?
It all comes down to the defence of Gary-“Between Thumper and the goals between
Wangaroo and victory, was me. Mass of a stick insect.”P. 108
He decides to attempt the ‘Thumper tackle’.
*Read page 108 and 109 – Why at this crucial moment does he look for his father in
the crowd?
How important is it for Gary to hear Arks say “That was a gutsy effort, Blacky
Tackling him like that.” P.110
Gary the hero/ Gary the fake.
CHAPTER 15. p. 111-119
The grand final celebrations and Blacky’s concussion feature in this chapter. His
blinkers are finally removed in regards to his town’s racism
Due to suffering the ill effects of being knocked out, it appears that Blacky will miss out
on the team celebrations. His mother is concerned for his health and despite getting a new
perm for the occasion she is willing to stay home and take care of him. His health and
wellbeing are her priority, “(mum) was the ultimate Beast Team-Man. Absolutely the
first Lemming off the cliff.” P.112 She is always willing to self –sacrifice for the family.
We, the audience are exposed to more famous Australian slang or euphemisms. ( a
euphemism=the substitution of a vague or mild, round about expression instead of a blunt
one ) E.G. “carked it”( p.113) and “Gallivanting” ( p.112)
Gary talks his mother into allowing him to attend but despite being identified as a
winner- “ Onya, Blacky.’ ‘Gutsy effort, Blacky.’ ‘Way to go, Blacky.” (p.114) he felt
unworthy of basking in the glory; he felt a fake and this is evident when he says-“I felt
embarrassed. Like a fraud. I hadn’t meant to stop the Thumper. It was a fluke.” ( p.114)
Arks is as proud as punch (p.114-115) “ Blacky,’ it said, beaming. ‘I love you.’”
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
We are introduced to the local butcher who becomes important later on in the story. He
is known as slogs Kneebone and “He was mettwurst.” ( p.115) * What is mettwurst?
Gary asks Dumby Red why he passed the ball instead of going for goal“ Cos Clemboy hadn’t has a kick all day…That’s right I didn’t want to see Clemboy
shamed. He’s me cousin, unna.
But, Dumby according to you all the Nungas are your cousins.
That’s right
Christ Dumby, I’ll never understand you blackfellas.
And Ill never understand you whitefellas.” (p.116-117)
Gary’s Dad turns up at the Grand Final Do, “He was laughing. Free piss always made
him happy.” (p.117)
Clarence; Dumby’s sister and Blacky get to know each other better and he is shocked and
somewhat insulted to discover that her mother deliberately avoids contact with the
Whites. He is gradually becoming aware of the racist undercurrents of his town and
questioning their basis.
-“Nuh she ain’t here. She’s not keen on being round you lot.
You lot? What did she mean by that? I felt a bit insulted.
Why not?
…she’s happy staying out at the point with our mob.
Actually there weren’t so many Nungas at the Do. Not when you considered that half our
team was from the Point. I’d only seen one table inside, with maybe twenty people sitting
at it. And ther was a group of blokes sitting near the keg.” (P.119)
CHAPTER 16. p. 120-125
Clarence’s and Blacky’s relationship develops and he becomes increasingly aware of
the racist attitudes of those around him .This becomes strikingly obvious when the
best on ground trophy award is announced. Gary becomes very angry and it is not
just the result of the concussion.
There is an instance of foreshadowing on page 120- when Gary was leaving with
Clarence ,“ As we walked off I thought I heard someone snicker. I turned around.
But there was nobody. ”
*What is the author attempting to get you thinking about here? What is he trying to
indicate?
Clarence and Blacky have some common ground as they both originate from a big family
and they leave the celebrations to have a smoke, he is impressed with this girl and wants
to impress her as well. His sensitivity to her makes him sensitive to things which may
offend her and it is with new eyes that he surveys the graffiti in the fishing shelter.
– “The smell didn’t really bother me, but something else did. Right above where
Clarence was sitting was some graffiti. ‘BOONGS PISS OFF’ it said.” (p.121)
Previously Gary had been unaware of the racism, had just accepted things the way they
were, but now he was developing a social conscience through his contact with the
Aboriginal footballers and Clarence and he “ didn’t feel comfortable. I felt guilty in
some way. I hadn’t written it, but I hadn’t scratched it out either.”( P.122)
*Why does Gary feel Guilty? What message is the author delivering about Racism?
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
ANS A. Previously Gary had just accepted it unquestioningly and not even given it
consideration. B.If we don’t address it, fight it when it comes our way we are part of
the problem and should feel responsible.
What is Darcy’s reaction to Clarence on the Jetty? Does Gary understand ‘ the advice’
offered by Darcy?ANS Gary is very trusting of the father figure Darcy and doesn’t
question the basis from which this advice is offered and the racist insult that it carries
– all Aboriginal girls sleep around and are promiscuous.
Clarence makes a passing comment to Gary that he misses the significance of –
“ Don’t like that old fella. He your mate is he, Blacky?
S’pose. He’s Okay, minds his own business.
Does he now?
Whatta ya mean?
But Clarence didn’t reply.” (P. 123)
Gary tries to impress Clarence with his knowledge about stars but she remains
unimpressed. The Author is really setting up a metaphor for Dumby here that will
become obvious later.
CHAPTER 17. p. 126-135
The award for Best on Ground is announced and Gary’s faith in his community,
friends etc is rocked to the core.
Blacky introduces us to Big Mac; Victor James McRae, club president and local
publican. Once again this is a stereotypical description of a politician. (much like the
description of the farmer Grills Lillee in chap 14)
The surprise of the evening is Best Team- man Gary Black.” I’d won Best Team-man’s
Best Team- man trophy.”(P.129) “I wanted to tell them that I didn’t really deserve the
trophy, they’d made a mistake. I hadn’t meant to stand in front of the galloping
Thumper.” (P.130)
His Dad was witness to his moment of glory, “As I came off stage I could see the old
man standing at the back of the hall.”(p.130)
…” He done real well, he said.
How would he know? I thought he wasn’t even there. He finished off his beer and let the
plastic cup drop to the floor.
…It was a gutsy effort, ‘he said, looking me in the eye, squeezing harder.
…We’ll get you out fishing soon,’ he said.
*What does his father (Bob)really mean by saying that he will take him out fishing
again? ANS: It is all about winning his father’s respect; now that he has proven he is
not gutless, he is a worthy son again and may come fishing. Problem is Gary feels like
a fake. All is now forgiven from Mr.Bob Black’s point of view. “ The old man was
going to give me another chance. I sat down.” (p.132)
Gary is desperate for his father’s acceptance and tries to convince himself that he” wasn’t
such a fraud after all.” (P.132)
The big award is about to be announced; Best on ground and Gary believes Dumby is
assured of the prize, “The McRae Medal was his. He’d had twice as many kicks as
anybody else. Taken heaps of marks, including the speccy of the century. He’d booted
five goals, half our score. Dumby was a sure fire odds-on cert. He was unbackable.”
(p.132) BUT he did not win. This is the true moment of realisation of the indentured
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
racism ingrained in his community and the injustice of it for those on the receiving
end of it. –
-“I got angry… “Bullshit! I said to Pickles… That’s Dumby’s trophy.” (p.133) He is soo
angry he leaves the celebrations, “ _ What a joke! It just wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. But
what could I do?” 9p. 134 Answer = PROTEST. He decides to quit football and tell tem
“Because you cheated Dumby out of his medal, you lousy bastards.”( P.134)
UNCONSCIOUS
SUMMER
CHAPTER 18. p. 139-146
Description of when you know summer has started- the indicators and an
introduction to other town’s folk. Camping/ tourist season has started.
It appears that Gary has forgotten about his pledge to give up football in support of
Dumby. His trophy is on display at home.
Pickles is going into the ‘gents’ business.
Discussion on campers is held on page 143. “ …And we hated them . We hated them
because they came from the city and we didn’t… We hated them, and we couldn’t wait
until they arrived”(p.143)
First description of Cathy; “ As in Catherine’ ( p.145) the camper.
“ Wow! Said Dazza, ‘she’s a spunk,eh?’
Not my type, said Pickles. Pickles’ type had blonde hair and big knockers.
Whatta ya reckon Blacky?
I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t” ( p.146)
I walked home, in a daze.”(p.146) = smitten.( love)
CHAPTER 19. p.147-148
Gary is “Smitten” and tells young Greggy.
CHAPTER 20. p.149-151
The McDermotts 9 Mr. &MRS. MAC, Andrew and Craig)are described and they have a
permanent holiday house in the Port. They are figures of much envy.
Through mixing with the Macca boys, Gary learns about the privileges that money can
bring and social inequalities.-“King this. Kings that. It really gave me the shits. I couldn’t
understand it either. To get to college you had to be really brainy, but the Maccas weren’t
brainy…So how the hell did they get into college?”(p.150-151)
*How did the boys get into college? ANS:Wealth and privilege. Their dad buying their
way through life.
*If Gary, Dazza and Pickles didn’t like the boys why did they hang around them?ANS
made thing happen exciting. “And if you didn’t hang around them then you missed out
on half the fun.”( P.151)
*Is Gary a promise breaker and why do you think the author inserts the line “It was no
big deal, anyway. Breaking your own promises never is.” What other promise do you
think he is considering breaking? ANS not mixing with the ‘phonies’ and giving up
football for Dumby.
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
CHAPTER 21. p.152-153
Gary’s anticipation at meeting Cathy again and trying to get information from Pickles.
CHAPTER 22. p.154-161
Inside the pub and descriptions of the regulars- Old Froggy, Mick, Slogs, Rocker,
Shirl, The old man, and Big Mac. Gary discusses his father’s changed attitude to
him. We are introduced to the segregated bar.
“Since the Grand Final his attitude to me had changed. He didn’t ignore me all the time. I
wasn’t about to rush out and nominate him for Father Of the Year, but still, it was an
improvement on the “my own son a gutless fucking wonder’ days.” (p.156)
The segregated bar is introduced on page 156- read. “ He was in the back bar, or the
black bar as everybody called it, because that’s where the Nungas did their groggin.”
Stereotypes are established once again between the black bar, the ladies lounge and the
normal bar.
*What is the author and Gary trying to allude to (indicate) by Gary’s thoughts
regarding” Mugs away’, was one of the old man’s sayings. And now I was saying it.
It’s crazy, isn’t it, the stuff you absorb from your parent?” ANS: Unfortunately it is
not just sayings it can be attitudes, beliefs and racism.
*Why is it that since the Grand final Dumby Reds father ( Tommy) goes to the front
bar instead of the back/black bar?
Tommy Red is a real character good with a story and knowing how to get on with the
regulars. He also heads into the back bar to sort out trouble,” Sounds like the bruddas
having themselves a corroboree. Better get over then and sort ‘em out’.”(p.160)
Despite this small amount of respect he gains from the regulars they think he is a rarity
amongst the Aboriginals.” Pity there’s not more like him out there.”p.161 Then Big Mac
immediately tells a racist joke – perhaps there are more like him out there but with such
segregation it is unlikely they would ever meet them. Blacky’s changing attitude is
evident in his reaction to Big Macs joke“And they all laughed all the regulars. Especially Slogsy. But I didn’t. I don’t know why,
I’d laughed at the joke before…But tonight it didn’t seem so funny anymore. And I knew
it had to do with Dumby and Clarence and Tommy.”
CHAPTER 23. p.162-165
Blacky continues his fascination with the girl he’d only “ seen her for ten minutes at
the most, and for some of that time she was holding a jar of squirmy maggots.” (
p.162) He is too scared to make a move” our brave hero”. (p164) OBSESSION_” I could
hear her giggling and I could feel the jealousy creeping around inside me like an
octopus.”(p.165), “ I couldn’t stop thinking about her. It was like some alien had
colonised my body and was controlling my thought processes. Stop thinking about her,
I’d tell myself. And of course, I thought about her even more.”(p.165)
CHAPTER 24. p.166-169
Conversation with Darcy about love and Darcy’s advice.
“ But I have got one piece of advice for you, young’un’, said Darcy as he cast again.
…As I can see that you are in a bit of a state, and I know you are a shy sort of a
lad…Maybe you’ll make a fool of yourself. So what?...You’re a long time dead , a
bloody long time dead.”(p.168-169)
*What is Darcy saying?
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
CHAPTER 25. p.170-174
Gary and his Mills and Boon fantasy staring Cathy and Gary. Unfortunately it
didn’t go as planned and Gary got spooked“The old man’s right , I said to myself, I’m gutless. A gutless fucking wonder. Tears were
sliding down my face.” (p.174)- Low self esteem.
CHAPTER 26. p.175-184
Tries to convince himself that he isn’t interested in Cathy. Squiding with Pickles.
Seeing the graffiti again reminds Gary of Clarence and Dumby whom he hasn’t seen
since the end of the footy season. He is beginning to rethink his retirement plans and
thinks he may have over reacted. Gary is trying to rationalise why Dumby didn’t deserve
the medal. Meeting with Cathy and squiding. An attachment formed.
CHAPTER 27. p.185Tells Greggy of his love.
CHAPTER 28. p.186-192
Gary has all but forgotten his Aboriginal friends now that it is Summer and he has
found a new love interest in Cathy.
Cathy makes the first move, “Why don’t you put your towel down here next to me?’ Said
Cathy.”(p.186) his word power finally comes in use and this girl unlike Clarence is
impressed-“You know’, said Cathy,’ for somebody from the country you’re pretty
brainy.” ( p.187) realisation of the power of money, “So going to Kings had nothing to do
with brains, and everything to do with money, the folding stuff, as the old man called it.
My day was getting better and better.” (p.188)
Rubbing sun tan lotion on Cathy – the highlight of Gary’s life- “ If I die now…then I
wouldn’t care. I’d die happy and contented.” (p.190)
The Aboriginals come to the Port,fear and racism is sparked in the group= Abo’s,
Nungas, Boongs. Gary who once considered them friends ( Dumby and Clarence)now
won’t acknowledge their existence when with his NEW friends. (Who would obviously
not approve)- “As they walked past, I pressed my face against the towel, hoping Clarence
wouldn’t recognise me.” (p.192) Gary denies having a friendship with Clarence-“That
Abo wasn’t really your girlfriend?’ asked Cathy.
‘No way. It’s Pickles’ idea of a joke. Pathetic as usual.’
‘But you know her?’
I hesitated.
‘No, of course not. How would I know her?’
He feels some guilt at this and “ somehow the most perfect morning of my life wasn’t so
perfect any more.”(p.192)
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
CHAPTER 29. p.193-196
THE SHOOTING
Gary is caught up in the excitement of the event, “I could feel the excitement inside me
swelling, getting bigger and bigger. At last something had happened in our hopeless little
town. Not just a premiership something really important.” (p.194)
The excitement is short lived as he discovers one of the dead is Dumby, “Dumby Red
was dead…He was dead, and he’d been killed by Big Mac.”( p.195)
*Why is it significant that Dumby Red has been killed by Big Mac?
CHAPTER 30. p.197-199
The shooting had become the hot topic of town gossip “And everyone was an expert,
every body had their own version of what happened that night.”( p.197) Gary
provides us with one of the versions on offer.
CHAPTER 31. p.200-201
Gary slips into a depression.
“Grey. That’s exactly how everything looked after the shooting. That’s how I felt, too.
Inside and outside.” (p.201) Gary is in shock and suffering depression.
CHAPTER 32. p.202-208
Gary’s mum is concerned about his lethargy and depression. Newspaper coverage of
the event indicates Dumby’s guilt.- p.203 Gary is confused about peoples reaction to
the funeral.
MUM-“ I understand why you want to go, dear. But I don’t think you’d be welcome. It’s
for the people out there at the Point. It’s their business, not ours.”(p.204)
ARKS-( Is asked if the footy club is going to do anything for Dumby’s funeral) “ No, I
don’t think so, Blacky. Sports one thing, this is another. It’s better not to get the two
mixed up.”(p.205)
PICKLES-“The old man reckons he got what he deserved. Armed robbery, mate. It’s
serious shit.”(p.206)
Gary seeks Darcy’s counsel-“But they didn’t deserve to get killed, did they? Dumby was
just a kid like me.”
“No young’un, probably not. But there’s always killing. Always has been. Always will
be. It’s human nature, there’s no escaping it.”(p.206)
“Mum, Arks, Pickles, Dazza and Darcy- they all had different reasons, but they all said
the same thing: don’t go to Dumby’s funeral.”( p207)
‘As I started walking I realised I’d made a decision. I was going to the funeral. I looked
towards the Point. I didn’t care what anybody said. Tomorrow I was going to Dumby
Red’s funeral.” (p.207)
This decision takes priority over Cathy’s farewell BBQ.
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
CHAPTER 33. p209-216. The ‘Old man’ is looking for Gary because he needs him
back on the boat as a deck hand, now that Reggy Porter was back on the booze.
Gary receives the “If –a- job’s- worth- doing -it’s -worth -doing –properly lecture.”
(p.211)
Gary is told his help is required on the boat, “But you said you never wanted me on your
boat again,’ I said.
‘Well, I’ve changed my mind. I’m giving you another chance.”
… “No buts about it. You’re going fishing tomorrow.”(p.213)
Gary takes the Brady Bunch advice, “to do what your heart tells you.” (p.214)
“I was ready.
More or less.” (p.216)
CHAPTER 34. p.217-235
The Funeral day. Key chapter.
Gary is happy with his decision to attend the funeral and follow what his heart told him to
do and this is evident when he says, “I was feeling happy. The happiest I’d felt in a long
time. Colour was seeping back into my world. It wasn’t so grey anymore.” (p.218)
Gary spends some time on the way to the funeral thinking about Dumby and wonders if
he will get to heaven, “And what would the good Lord decide? I wondered. What had
Dumby done? He’d broken into the pub. Maybe he did have a gun like the cops said. He
wasn’t going to shoot anyone though. Not Dumby.
I had another question for Mrs Ashburner. What about Victor McRae? Would he go to
heaven? He’d killed two people, after all. What about thou shalt not kill and all that
stuff?”(p.219)
He does have some second thoughts concerning how wise his decision was, “I’d let
Cathy down, and the old man was going to spiflicate (destroy) me, and now I was
breaking the law. I knew it- I should never have listened to Mike Brady.” (p.220)
Once at the Point, Gary begins to realise that the stories from the front bar were not an
accurate representation of the truth, “The houses all had doors and windows. And
according to the front bar the first thing Nungas do when they move into a new house is
rip the doors off their hinges and smash all the windows.” (p.222)
His ignorance about the settlement and Aboriginal lifestyle becomes obvious to him,” It
made me realise -I knew nothing about the history of the Point…But they told us nothing
about the Point.”
(p.223) Gary meets up with Clarence on the road and they go to the funeral together and
Gary is “the only Goonya there.” (p.226) His attendance at the funeral provides him with
some closure and a sense of peace. - “And I seemed to get swallowed up by this feeling, I
don’t know how to describe it- peace, I suppose. I stopped being angry…I stopped
feeling conspicuous because I was the only Goonya there. Instead this feeling of peace
surrounded me.”(p.227)
Clarence tells Gary of Lovely’s involvement in the shooting-” It was all Lovely’s idea,
and Dumby went cos Lovely’s his hero… Then lovely leaves Dumby to die like a dog on
the pub floor. Fuck Lovely. I wish he got killed not Dumby.”(p.229)
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
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Gary’s presence at the funeral is appreciated by the family and acknowledged by
Dumby’s uncle, “We preciate ya coming…All of us. Us mob ain’t big speech makers and
that but let me tell ya, we all ‘preciated it.”(p.234)
CHAPTER 35. p.236-238
The Aftermath of Dads rage. A drunken nights fishing and he puts Timothy’s life in
danger again.
Tim swears “I’m never gong fishing with him again. Never, as long as I live.” (p.2370
CHAPTER 36. p.239-254
Gary faces up to the reality of having a poor role model of a father.
“Who cares, I said. He’s a psychopath.
What’s that? Said Greggy.
A mad man. A crazy. A loony said Team-man” (p.241)
Coming of age and change of beliefs as Gary is able to see things as they really areread page 241
Description of his father’s anger” Maybe he’d come after me but I doubted it somehow. It
wasn’t his way. He’d just keep it all inside. Like bottles of home brew that haven’t been
made properly…That’s what the old man was like.” (p.242)
Staying out of his fathers way by hanging out with Pickles.
Cathy leaves Gary a note, “Great. I’d been dropped, by a girl I wasn’t even going with.
My life was a joke.”(p.245)
He seeks Pickles refuge and tells him the truth- pickles fear of Gary’s dad tells us much
about his reputation for violence. Leaves Pickles room and seeks the refuge of the lidrary.
“I walked back down the main street trying not to look like Gary Black.”(p.249)
Gary and Darcy talking about the graffiti the shelter, p.251 “They should do something
about it, shouldn’t they? I said.
“I daresay they should, young’un. I daresay they should”
* What point do you think Darcy is trying to make?
At the butchers Gary has a moment of enlightenment, and figures out who is responsible
for the graffiti, “ I looked again at the sign. There was something about it something
familiar.”(p.252) Gar realises “The ‘S’ was the dame, a bit squashed, like somebody had
sat on it. The rest of the writing, too. It was the same writing as “THE BOONGS PISS
OFF”, exactly the same.” (p.253) Gary tries to figure out what he will do about this piece
of information.p.253 He realises the significance of Darcy’s advice , “ They should, but
they couldn’t because there was no they. Well, maybe there was but they were too busy.
People were always at them to do things.”… “They had no time but I did.” (p.254)
CHAPTER 37. p.255-256
With Mum away and Dad at the Pub the black kids show their self sufficiency. Blacy
begins to plan how to get rid of the graffiti.
CHAPTER 38. p.257-258
Blacky has a dream about the graffiti writing slogs and Dumby.
CHAPTER 39. p.259-261
Stealing the keys from Dad.
CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS
student
CHAPTER 40. p.262-268
In Dad’s shed getting the equipment remove the graffiti.
Gary reasons that he can’t get in trouble any more than this so gets the courage, “What
the hell, he was going to spiflicate me anyway. I took his favourite, the eight inch.”
(p.263)
Caught by his father red handed.- he tells the truth but his father doesn’t even try to
understand and goes ballistic. Tim and the siblings are awakened by the noise.
Gary weighs his options, “ The next day I could cycle down to Rockers garage,and buy a
can of spray paint. Do the job with that. ‘BOONGS PISS OFF’ had been there for
months, one more day wasn’t going to make a helluva lot of difference.” (p.265) Looking
into his “mean” fathers face ( read265 description) Gary makes a stand and is smacked
down hard by his father.
Team-man to the rescue, by distracting dad by stealing the car. Team-man instantly
looses his nick-name, (Istopped calling Team-man Team-man after that. Because he
really was the first lemming (almost) over the cliff. The irony wasn’t there anymore.”
(p.267)
The siblings lie to Darcy to cover the truth. The family is united in a mission.
CHAPTER 41. p.269-273
The elder children explain what the graffiti means to the younger siblings. The term racist
is explained and each member of the family is involved in the slurs removal, “three
swipes and it was gone. Not forever, but for tonight anyway.” (p.271)
The kids decide to slle down at Bum/Black rock to avoid dads wrath, “Tomorrow there
would be hell to pay, but at the moment, down here at Bum Rock, my brothers and sisters
around me, I was happy. Happier than a pig in mud. I was as happy as Larry.” (p.273)
THE END