The Shark Net:
Robert Drewe
Page, Section and Chapter breakdown
Themes and quotes
Part: N/A
Section: N/A
Chapters: Epigraph
Page Number: 2
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
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The epigraph is the first thing the reader reads
Metaphorically speaking, the “shark” could be Eric. He is a friendly/familiar face to everyone, but
then when he murders his victims he becomes unfamiliar to most, as people didn’t expect the
outcome.
People can assume or guess what the outcome of a certain situation is, but until it actually happens,
you can’t be sure – this quote relates back to the book in general, no-one predicted Eric Cooke to
be a murderer, no-one predicted Drewe’s mum to die from ”boiling brain,” and no-one predicted
Ruth would get pregnant at such a young age.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“You can only predict things after they have happened.”
“Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
And he shows them pearly white.
Just a jack-knife, had Macheath, dear,
And he keeps it out of sight.”
Part: N/A
Section: N/A
Chapters: Prologue
Page Number: 4
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
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A short excerpt from the book, p268, “Chaos” chapter
Robert and his father are driving home from the police station after getting finger printed.
Robert’s father begins to sing an old Bing Crosby song on the way home
Robert thinks his mind has snapped
Scene is important, leaves reader asking questions. Exciting snippet.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
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An excerpt from the book
Drewe seems concerned for his father, and also the neighbourhood. The murders changed Perth.
He is losing his mind.
The song lyric can be interpreted in two ways – its romantic manner, or Eric Cooke.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“Where the blue of the night meets the gold of the day, someone waits for me.” Bing
Crosby Song.
“Of course my father was just crooning an old song, one with a different, romantic, meaning
to the one which had struck me.”
“I wondered whether his mind had snapped.”
“Our lives at this stage where in a chaotic condition.
Part: 1
Section: N/A
Chapter/s: Committal
Page Number: 5 - 18
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
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Set in the courts
Drewe is age 20?
They both wink at each other (Eric and Robert)
Drewe tried to get closer to the murderer, but wasn’t quick enough (from the lock-up to the
courtyard).
Went to drive pas murder house and got stared at
Drove to Ruth’s house, who doesn’t live there anymore.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
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How the killer was his friend
He remembers the shock when he saw the photographs of exhibition 14 (Shattered head,
blackened mess of blood)
When they winked at each other, Robert was concerned that people might have seen and made
assumptions.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“Even so, for my own reasons I was having trouble fitting the headline “Maniac Killer at
large” to him.”
“Already a legendary monster, he was there, shuffling past us, then he was gone.”
Part: 2
Section: 1
Chapters: Blackboys
Page Number: 23 - 32
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
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Robert and his mother went on a planetrip from Melbourne to perth. The boy’s little brother was also
on the plane. The chapter is set in Perth. We are given Drewe’s point of view, how he feels about
the move. Drewe, his mother and brother were booked into the Palace Hotel until they could move
into the house found for them. Drewe was 6 years old and his brother was 2. All of them are rying
on the way there, even though the move had been made out to be a good thing. Drewe has an
imaginary friend called John Gordon. Perhaps he feels isolated. Drewe’s father met his wife at
Dunlop.
At age 6, Drewe and his family move from Melbourne to Perth. We are given Drewe’s point of view
of ‘ordered” Melbourne, their trip and their arrival in the “Great Unknown.”
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
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Drewe seems most concerned about the move.
Drewe is concerned about leaving his life in Melbourne. He makes reference to his pop and uncle
Ian, who work in Victorian banks and typewriters and John Gordon.
Constantly anxious about the orange gas in “Crime Does Not Pay”
Introduces the family as a “Dunlop family”
Father appears to be the head of the family
Drewe is unsure how to feel about the unknown Perth.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“The bank itself always made me feel sad. It was tired and wintry and churchy. Even the dirt
in the garden beds looked old and apologetic.” This shows that Drewe is perhaps a happy
person, and doesn’t like things that made him feel sad
“Apart from his war years in the air force, my father had always worked for Dunlop.” Tells us
that Drewe’s father works for Dunlop and has since he was 17.
“Life was suddenly more unpredictable.”
“It might as well be Africa.”
“There’s more than this mother than meets the eye.”
“The gas was so evil I could smell it. I could almost see it, too, and in the recurrent
nightmares that followed, I did.”
She also read out that Perth was the world’s most isolated city.”
“Watch out. There are a lot of black boys out there in the garden.”
Part: 2
Section: 1
Chapters: People of the Dunes
Page Number: 33 - 42
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
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Robert describes the landscape of Perth – the sand dunes
Robert describes how he sees the people of Perth; they seem different and exotic. They are the
opposite of Melbournians.
Robert’s mother is afraid of “boiling brain”
Robert describes his father’s reticence to swim in the ocean.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
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Robert recognises the difference between his family’s “Melbourne viewpoint” and he carefree lives
of the sand people. He consequently feels like an outsider. The difference between the barefoot
Sand people and the ordered Melbournians is emphasised, contributing to the theme of isolation
throughout the text.
First appearance of an irrational fear – boiling brain – that shows Perth’s innocence.
Another mention of Africa, and animal imagery. Continues theme of foreignness in Perth.
His father’s fear of the ocean is linked to the symbol of water, and the recurring fear of what lies
beneath it. You never know where a shark might be hiding.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“Some people lived in the loose white sand in the ocean… Boys bled if they smiled too fast.”
“Only mother’s boys and English kids – or Melbourne boys – wore sandals in summer.”
“After a while I worked out why the sand people were always staring over the cliffs and out to sea.
They were trying to see Africa.”
“He warned her of boiling brain. Apparently it was an extreme form of sunstroke.”
“…the real beach terror lay in the undertow, the shark: the unruly sea itself. He preferred to keep hid
distance from the coastline.”
Part: 2
Section: 2
Chapters: Saturday Night Boy 1
Page Number: 45 - 52
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
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He jumps into the river and triesto get friendly with a lady and fails – he goes home, frustrated with
society.
A man (assumingly Eric) tries to “pick-up” ata a dance, but is rejected by the girls at the dance,
being called “bird-mouth.” He then goes to the river, swimming by himself in the darkness. This
chapter is in Eric’s perspective, obviously a fictional part of the book, but is vital to the story,
showing how darkness and loneliness were a major theme inEric’s life and although he did
apparently seek company, he enjoyed darkness and like a shark, prefers to swim alone.
Eric swims across the river after being spurned by girls at the embassy ballroom. From the point of
view of Eric.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
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Portrayal encourages sympathy for spurned man, but also exhibits his disconcerting qualities.
Vengeful exhibitionist, outcast by society
He is quite calculating and thoughtful, and a bit weird,
He has had a hard life
Feels rejected by society
Eric is also apparently married with children. Obviously his loneliness is something he feels
emotionally, probably because he feels isolated mentally. He yearns for the attention of younger
females which suggests that his relationship with his wife isn’t very healthy.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“This time I won’t come up. I’ll drown.” This shows thoughts of death which may have been a
recurring thing for Eric.
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapters: Yellow Sand
Page Number: 55 – 83.
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
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The Drewes move to Dalkeith, Robert becomes friends with Nick Howell, and Robert observes his
parents’ relationship.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
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Concern about his parents’ relationship
Robert observes his parents’ relationship more maturely, sees the difference between public and
private.
Concern of fear and security rise, the family home becomes a symbol of security and stability sits on
very weak and flimsy foundations (Symbolic).
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“I don’t want to inherit her hobbies” Mrs. Drewe, referring to Mrs. Sefton, the mother of the
family with whom they had swapped homes.
“Our foundation stones were made of sand and they rested on sand.”
“Peculiar people up to strange things.” Mrs. Drewe, speaking of people at the Hot Pool,
showing still that she is displeased by Perth and its people.
It was dawning on me that my parents each had two names to suit their two different
personalities.”
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapter: Bumpers
Page Number: 84 - 100
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Drewe’s family was finally settling in to the Wets Australian way of life. In this chapter, Drewe talks a lot
about his father’s job at Dunlop. He talks about getting a new pair of Bumpers every Christmas, never
anything new or exciting. When he asks his dad for desert boots, his dad angrily exclaims that they are
made by Clark Rubber, not Dunlop. His father gets a promotion, and becomes even more work oriented
than he was (something Drewe didn’t think was possible). Drewe hates Bumpers as he associates them
with his Dad’s work obsession, and is surprised to see people wearing them voluntarily.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
Drewe seems most concerned about his image and self-esteem, rather than his parents’ wishes. Drewe
discusses that Dunlop is trying to be the company that everybody wishes to be, but doesn’t see what the
norm want. The idea of Dunlop is that ‘Bumpers don’t have the bad image of “juvenile delinquents.” Also
Clark Rubber make desert boots, the competition. The link between this chapter and the other chapters is
that Drewe is being forced into items that his parents (father) want andlike, instead of what he wants.
Drewe is trying to show that parents at the time were forceful. Perth seems to turn on the Dunlop ‘rubber
products.”
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“Because of their Dunlop connection, and the shortage of social attractions in Perth … in a
way, Dunlop was like a country … and my father, and the country’s local consul,
entertained them at his consulate.” (96).
Every Christmas Eve, I went to sleep knowing that the morning would bring the next size in
Bumpers, and it did.” (84)
“Every Christmas morning my heart sank when I saw the parcel and uncovered the familiar
yellow and black box. When I opened the box and caught that first sharp rubbery whiff,
unwrapped the tissue paper and pied the new Bumpers huddled heel-to-toe inside, I could
have cried. But I went through the Christmas motions. “Oh good,” I lied. ‘New Bumpers.
Just what I wanted.” (84).
“I could have said I’d never seen another boy wearing Bumpers, I could have … It would
have hurt their feelings. And it would have made my father angry because he made them
and sold them. (86).
“The Bumper leisure shoe was just one of the many rubber products that exerted their
personality on our family. We wore, played with … with Dunlop products.” (89).
“we knew that to have Clark desert boots … was disloyal … We honoured the giant.” (90)>
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapters: Strangers
Page Number: 101 - 127
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
In the chapter “strangers,” Drewe talks about his mothers discontent, with unfamiliar faces of tradesman,
vegetable growers, etc coming into their yards and house as they pleased. To the people of Perth, this
routine was normal, they were very naïve and trusting of those living in their own community, thus clearly
showing Drewe’s mum was not yet accustomed to Perth society. Perth people believed locking your back
door showed an inhospitable nature. In this chapter, Drewe meets Eric for the first time, he doesn’t know
whether or not to trust him, but ends up giving him the benefit of the doubt.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
Drewe seems concerned that the Strangers that appear at the back door may not be people who sell items
but people who are looking for trouble. The ideas that are shown are that the front door was for adult
friends of the family, and that the back door was for tradesmen and children. The link between this chapter
and other chapters is that the doors of the house are used to show the class system of Perth; Drewe is
trying to show that he feels sorry for people who have to show up at the back door for their wages. His
family does not care, Perth is still living in the old English class system of work and business.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“A stranger showed up in our back yard one day with a shot gun … it wasn’t unusual for a
stranger to suddenly appear unannounced … My mother called this “lurking.” (101).
“The front door was for adults, friends of the family, official business or female callers. The
back door was for tradesman and children.” (108).
“The back door had a sort of tyranny … but the common belief was that locking your doors
was ridiculous and showed an untrustworthy, inhospitable nature … not only was the back
door never locked, it was rarely closed … any lurker could bowl up to the back door.” (111)
“apparently he worked for Dunlop… he was about five feet six or seven … you were polite
to people who looked like that.”
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapters: Prowler
Page Number: 128 - 131
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Drewe is 13 years old in this chapter. We are given Drewe’s point of view. The chapter is set in Drewe’s
house, mainly set around his mother in her room, then in the kitchen. Drewe’s mother is in bed reading a
book that all of her friends have been nagging her to buy due to it being so notorious and popular, when
she senses an uneasy sensation. She sees an eye in the corner of the window – and believes it is
somewhat familiar. She scares the prowler by yelling but is emotionally scarred. The police are called but
can’t do much as she had no details of the prowler. She notifies Drewe and his brother Billy the next
morning as she didn’t want to scare them when it happened.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
Drewe is asleep for most of this chapter, but when he does find out about his mother’s shock the night
before he is very upset she didn’t wake him when it first happened. He asks his mother what description
she gave the police but she is embarrassed to tell Drewe she only saw one eye. Rob’s Dad is away with
work during this chapter. It is clear the way this chapter is portrayed that there is a link to Eric, and it is
meant to give the reader a bad sense of Eric. The previous chapter mentions Eric many times and so the
fact that the eye seemed familiar to Rob’s mum could suggest it was Eric. This chapter seems to make Rob
and his family feel unsettled, and could make them feel Perth is a more unpredictable place than they first
appreciated.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“I’m getting my husband.” Robert’s mother
“Dear! Wake up! Come here quickly.” Robert’s mother
Why didn’t you wake me?” Robert
“You might have been hurt. Anyway, he was gone by then.” Roberts mother
“All I saw was one eye. I told the police it looked … knowing. And sort of amused.” Robert’s
mother
Not too much to go on, is it madam?” Police officer.
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapters: Burning the Mirror
Page Number: 132 - 139
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Robert’s Dad wanted to be by himself. He picked up the “Mirror,” which is the local Saturday paper. He
though he was by himself when reading the paper, but Robert was watching him. He quickly turned to the
back page, scanned that page, and then dropped the newspaper in the fire. He threw it in the fire because
of the local Saturday sex and scandal sheet. The Mirror was the only paper that published details about
brothel raids. Decent women didn’t read the mirror. It is Drewe’s point of view. Drewe is between 13 – 16
years old.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
His dad seemed to be extremely angry about this story in the paper, and he shows this by burning the
paper “prodding and turning the ashes, until it was dark.” There is a repetition of “The Mirror” being a
newspaper that their family doesn’t read, and it is the only paper that printed the words prostitute, and
brothel.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“Women and decent children didn’t read the Mirror. It was never seen in our house.”
“I stood by the back gate and watched the rising glow of the firelight on my father’s scalp.”
“He was marking time while he waited for something. Who or What?”
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapters: The Moral Agent.
Page Number: 140 - 159
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Drewe was on Rottnest Island when he walks into the bakery and catches the baker and his one-armed
assistant having sex on the bench top covered in flour. The assistant notices him, however they continue.
This was while Drewe was on holiday at Rottnest Island in a cottage with his friends afte his parents finally
gave in, as they thought Rottnest Island had a bad name. Robert spends time with a girl he doesn’t know
very well, and he kisses her, then she pukes over his shoulder. Robert and Suzette ignore each other after
that. Drewe was 16 and was hoping to find a real girlfriend on the island. Drewe falls for a 14 year old girl
named Roberta. Roberta’s parents were sitting a row behind Drewe and Roberta when he took her to the
movies, and Drewe’s friends where also one row behind. The father looking after the cottage told thefriends
about the moral agent, a person who looked out for people on the island doing the wrong thing, particularly
boys and girls. Drewe then kills a shark and shows Roberta at her hotel. She was not impressed and went
back inside. Drewe then dumps it in the bushes outside the hotel, and goes back to the cottage, we are
given Robert’s point of view.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
In this chapter, Drewe finds himself attracted to girls and want to find a girlfriend on the island. He then
becomes wary of the moral agent catching him at some point if he tries to make a move on Roberta. Drewe
discussed mostly about how significant Rottnest island is to sex and how he planned to finally get a real
girlfriend. He repeats how Rottnest Island reminds him of sex and relationships. He tells us how what
happens on Rottnest Island stays on Rottnest Island. Girls can do things and not receive a bad name.
Drewe likes the freedom of the island, away from his parents and he enjoys hanging out with his friends.
His family is very protective and didn’t want him to go at first due to Rottnest’s bad name, but eventually let
him.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“People – well, girls - were supposed to do things which on the straitlaced mainland would
give them a bad name. Rottnest was different. It was where West Australians lost their
virginity.” (143).
I didn’t admit it, but I’d desperately hoped to find my first real girlfriend on the island.” (148).
“I regarded it in a sensual light from the moment I saw Roberta Ainslie’s shoulder-blades”
(148).
“More importantly, it was shock to show her …” (156).
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapters: The Eyes of Billy Graham
Page Number: 160 - 175
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Drewe talks about the religious divisions in his family and his want to conform to the Graham religious
ceremony, but ultimately holding his ground. He also reflected on sneaking out on Friday otr Saturday night
and having to hide the evidence of what he did. The overall theme of the chapter concerned religious
values and personal values.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
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Character dichotomy within family unions (this could apply to his own values versus his families)
Need to conform during religious ceremony
Sneaking out at night
Continuously thinking about his “sins” during the ceremony.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“I was sorely tempted. But I sat tight.”
“The dance was its own aphrodisiac.”
The scene of my own juvenile crime was no more than a hundred yards away.”
Part: 2
Section: 2
Chapters: The Bridge
Page Number: 176 - 188
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
After Drewe’s father gets lost on the new Narrows bridge and is escorted home by police one night, he
invites them in for drinks. After discussion about the recent murder (which a mature Robert and his mother
are excluded from) the officers and Drewe’s father seem to become close friends. Later in the chapter,
Drewe receives a letter from The Eureka Youth League” offering him to join their cause, which Robert does.
It is revealed by Robert’s father that the Youth League is the Youth Wing communist Party of Australia, and
after a call to his father’s new police friend, his father makes him quit.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
During the chapter, another brutal murder is committed – this victim was hacked and stabbed to death by a
hatchet. The murder weapon belonged to Drewe’s best friend, who is reluctant to talk about the issue. It is
clear Robert I intrigued (as well as frightened) by the murders, made evident by his constant questions to
his friend, and his shown interest when he police were at his house. He also seems to feel sorry for sacked
Dunlop worker Eric Cooke, who Robert had met on numerous occasions.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
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“My mother modified her surprised look, mustered up some social graces and fetchewd
some beers from the fridge.”
“He walked purposefully across the room, gave my mother and me a meaningful look ad
shut the door on us.”
“How did this happen,” he raged. “This reflects on all of us.” I knew he meant himself.”
“In the leafy suburbs, destruction of property was a serious matter. It was certainly more
comprehensible that willful slaughter.”
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapters: On the Beach
Page Number: 189 - 193
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Drewe is 17 and is taken to the cinema by his father, which is a special and symbolic event because he and
his father never went anywhere together. This chapter is written from Drewe’s perspective. The chapter is
set in Drewe’s home, before and after watching the movie.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
Drewe seems concerned most about the awkwardness between him and his father, whenever they saw an
attractive woman, whether she was in a film or on the street. These feelings are repeated in different areas
throughout the chapter.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“Any love scene … caused a force-field of disapproval and embarrassment to rise from my
father’s chair and fill the room.”
“He never drove past a female pedestrian without swiveling his head to check her out.”
Part: 2
Section: 3
Chapters: Windows
Page Number: 194 - 204
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Drewe is 17. Drewe talks about the girl he meets at Rottnest Island, Ruth. He gets to see her for the first
time in two months. He runs he mile at the athletic carnival and goes out. While he is out with Ruth, his
mother is at home and sees a familiar man on the terrace. Drewe’s mother and his mother’s views are
given.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
Drewe feels guilt about not being there for his mother, when there is an intruder on he terrace. His mother
is frightened and concerned when she sees the intruder. The idea of Eric being the intruder is linked as she
believes he is familiar and knows the family situation.”
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“Why hadn’t he run away? The thought struck her. He knows Roy isn’t here.” (202).
“She left the back door unlocked for me. She thought she should lock it.” (200).
Part: 3
Section: 1
Chapters: The Real World
Page Numbers: 209 - 223
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
-
Drewe’s starting days as a journalist
Drewe is age 18 – 19
Relationship with Ruth develops
Discovers young love, Roberta working at the newspaper publishers
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
-
Drewe seems most concerned about getting a decent scoop for the paper
Discusses being recognised and successful as a young journalist
“Peeping Tom” at the end of chapter – “eyes,” insecurity
Aside from the occasional brutal murder (and with the suspected killer now caught) Drewe realizes
that Perth is a quiet and boring place for journalism and stories.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“There was so little news in eisteddfods and shitfights that I walked the suburban streets
looking for it.”
Part: 3
Section: 2
Chapters: Saturday Night Boy (II)
Page Number: 227 - 229
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
-
Eric reflect on his life and how he was abused
This chapter is in Eric’s point of view, meaning that Drewe wrote this section as a fictional part of the
book. It discusses Eric’s past, explaining that his parents had a corrupt marriage and his father was
a crazed drunk. We then discover that many years ago, Eric lit a fire in a department store. This
shows us that Eric gained comfort by destroying things. He had left fingerprints in the department
store and has since learned to wear gloves at all times. We also discover that Eric has previously
thrown a knife into the river, which he apparently used on a woman in 1959. The last sentence tells
us of Eric throwing a rifle into the river, suggesting he killed somebody earlier with it.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
-
There is a repetition from Saturday Night Boy (I) with the river being the main place Eric goes back
to. This chapter explains a lot about Eric’s mental processes. He has obviously been unstable for a
long time.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“He hadn’t felt so in command since the Boan’s fire, the robbery-arson.” This quote is
important because it shows us that causing destruction gives Eric a sense of control.
“He memorised the number stenciled on the light stanchion, no. 324. (Was there any point
in doing so? Just the pride he took in his memory.”
Part: 3
Section: 3
Chapters: The Full Moon Cliché
Page Number: 233 - 260
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
The chapter is set in a hotel with Drewe, his brother and sister, mum and girlfriend. He is 18. Drewe’s point
of view tells us about what happens with him and his girlfriend. They were staying at Rottnest. Drewe’s
mother found them an out of the way flat up the coast at Waterman’s Bay. Drewe stated that if it was further
away, they wouldn’t be in Perth. Staying at Rottnest hotel, on weekends they swam in the morning and
then he rushed his girlfriend back up the sand hill to the flat. The chapter is mainly about what happens with
Drewe and his girlfriend, and how his girlfriend becomes pregnant.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
-
Drewe discusses his girlfriend a lot, who is supposedly a year older than she had mentioned where
they used to live.
Mentions his girlfriend looks like a Protestant’s image of a convent girl.
Ruth’s waters break conveniently for Drewe at 9 o’clock one Saturday morning at Waterman’s Bay,
and their little boy a breech birth, was born mid-afternoon.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
-
“Three photographs were taken on the family camera in the deserted hotel car park.” This
tells us the type of place that Drewe and his family were staying at, and that not many
people were around.
“Conveniently at 9 o’clock Ruth’s water broke.” Tells us that Ruth fell pregnant at an
inconvenient time for Drewe.
Part: 3
Section: 3
Chapters: Chaos
Page Number: 261 - 269
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
-
Robert’s mother has a men-only funeral.
Robert and his father are fingerprinted when another murder occurs
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
-
Robert wants to hear old stories of his mother
Feels guilty when finger-printed?
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“For a while, I was too numbed to be aware that my life was in chaos.”
“I wept as the first clod of dirt hit the coffin and saw, astonishingly, that a couple of the men
seemed cynically amused at my emotion.”
Part: 3
Section: 4
Chapters: Staurday Night Boy (III)
Page Number:
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Eric decides to break into someone’s house. This chapter provides a concise insight into the seemingly
cold and calculated mind of Eric.
- Decided to break into a house
- Consulted newspaper to decide on a a house
- Steals knickers and money
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
-
This chapter shows that Eric’s actions are neither uncalculated or random. He does his research
through the Western Australian” (the paper that Drewe writes for – draws a link).
Ironic that Perth’s violence is allowed by its symbol of innocence – unlocked back door.
Developed more as a killer (Strategy/pre-meditation).
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
They advertised who the rich people were … who wouldn’t be at home.”
Part: 4
Section: 1
Chapters: Phenobarbitone
Page Number: 279 - 284
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Drewe talks about how the police caught Eric and how they found one of the murder weapons. Drewe is
about early 20s. Drewe is part of the court hearing as a scribe. The family doctor is talking to Drewe about
his mothers’ death, the capture of Eric Cooke. This chapter is in the view of Drewe, and the capture of Eric
Cooke.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
Drewe is most concerned about whether or not he is responsible for his mother’s death, and why his
mother’s friends and his father are blaming him. Drew discusses that if he had helped his mother more,
“she would not be dead.” Drewe feels guilty about not being there for his mother. His family is blaming him
for not helping his mother. Perth is no longer a city that is young and innocent.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“I drove home to Circe Circle with my head and heart pounding. So I killed her … didn’t I?
“You’ve probably been wondering,” he said solemnly, “whether you killed her.”
They decided to let the papers in on the discovery. It was a risk, but the papers were well
trained by the police.”
This chapter is linked to other chapters as Perth is very isolated and the residents are only
concerned with what is happening in Perth, rather than the wider community.
Part: 4
Section: 1
Chapters: News Shark
Page Number: 285 - 307
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Robert is 19. Robert fantasises about a front page shark attack story, where he would become “the hero.”
He lives with Ruth near Swanbourne Beach, with their son. Robert talks about his work as a junior journalist
for the West Australian. Robert interviewed a hit and run distraught family and Robert got sent to the
commissioner, who said he couldn’t publish it. Roberta passes him at the library and asks him about the
baby. She is wearing an engagement ring. His mother had dies a year ago and his father was lost in work.
His father gave him a typewriter from Singapore. He goes back to talking about sharks, and the shark nets,
and how they make him feel safe. Always goes for a swim every morning. Robert went driving and saw a
shark-spotter plane, and made a story.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
Drewe is concerned about what people say about his baby with Ruth. Also, he is concerned about the
depths of the ocean and sharks, but he feels safe with the Shark Nets. He discusses sharks often and how
he wants to have a shark attack story. Robert is trying to show everyone about the sharks, wants a goos
story, wants to be famous.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“I was a father, a husband and a newshound but I was still two years off legal drinking age.”
(298)
“I was there for a quick surf. With my new responsibilities, I’d only an hour to spare.” (301)
“Rodney? He got may name wrong, too. Now I needed my big coastal story more than
ever.” (294).
“When Ruth and I weren’t marveling at our boy or making love, I was submerged in work or
the sea.” (288).
Part: 4
Section: 1
Chapters: Cheering up
Page Number: 308 - 313
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
-
Robert ponders the hypocrisy of adults
Robert is driving, so he must be 20?
His dad gets a promotion and moves to Sydney
His dad had an idea for Dunlop – condoms.
When Robert drove Billy home from surfing, both the front and back doors were locked, and the
curtains were shut.
Robert’s father is inside the house with a middle-aged bar woman
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
-
His brother is left in a boarding school
He finds his dad with another woman and also finds a playboy magazine on his desk (his dad has
moved on).
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“Today you’ll use a Dunlop product.” Everything had to be Dunlop for Robert’s father.
“They keep standing by the fridge, Mrs. Halliday continued patting the skin of his head, and
he kept holding her breast.” His father had moved on from his mother’s death.
Part: 4
Section: 2
Chapters: Trial
Page Number: 317 - 326
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
In this chapter, it is the trial of Eric. This chapter is set in the court rooms. The chapter is being told by
Drewe. He describes Eric as no looking like a murderer, as just a normal suited man. Eric is given the
death sentence.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
-
He discusses how Eric told the court that he felt he had a power over life and death and he must
use that power.
The jury wasn’t buying his story
Repeats a lot that Eric had a power over him, and he felt like God.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“This time Eric was looking spruce – clean shaven and grey-suited.”
“He didn’t look like an insane serial killer.”
Part: 4
Section: 3
Chapters: The Boy the Colour of Sand
Page Number: 327 – 333
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
-
Eric’s son drowns while he is imprisoned.
Eric remembers when his son spoke
The people of Perth trying to make a connection between themselves and Eric
Drewe and Eric’s views are given.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
Drewe is trying to get sympathy for Eric, and trying to justify hi past actions. He is trying to make him seem
human. He shows Perth’s interest in Eric’s case as they try to make connections to him.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“But hearing him say the word got his hopes up, even after all that time” (329)
“But the blind was already coming down. That’s the only way he could describe it. Like
shutters. The focus had gone again.” (330)
“Everything hopeful drained out of him then.” (330)
“He felt like a bastard doing it, but he was still so bitterly disappointed he was numb.” (331)
“As the murderer waited for the morning of his hanging, the people of Perth tries to outdo
each other in their claims.” (332).
Part: 4
Section: 4
Chapters: The Murderer’s Widow Recalls the Execution.
Page Number: 337 - 346
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
Drewe feels compelled to speak to Eric’s wife Sally, to find out about her life with him. He asks her about
the moment of Eric’s execution, which she can barely recall. Sally recounts how she and Eric met, and his
continuous absences during their marriage. She suggests she suspected infidelity, but never crime. The
picture she paints of their home life is very bleak, and their marriage does not seem to be a happy one. She
describes some of Eric’s criminal past, and the way in which she and her family have dealt with Eric’s
death.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
This chapter stands out in the text because it is the only account we have of someone from Eric’s “normal”
life. Its significance is magnified by its placement at the end, after we have already read and seen so much
about Eric Cooke. Robert talks about feeling compelled to speak to Sally – this compulsion seems to add
another level to the idea of interconnectedness between Eric and Robert, which is amplified by the sense of
interconnectedness in Perth as a whole. More so, the chapter seems to act as a final warning in the
recurring message of appearances versus reality. What we see as safe, normal, everything to live for could
be a killer, hiding just under the surface.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
-
-
“I often thank God that I didn’t ever try to leave him. I mean, I didn’t know he was killing and
all that, but now that I know he was killing I think he would have killed me, because I was
his possession. I wasn’t allowed to leave.” 340
“it never dawned on me, all the killings I’d read about, and I even said to him one day “God,
I do feel sorry for this poor fellow. They must be desperate. They must have nobody to go
home to, nobody who cares.” And he said, “Sally, it could be somebody with everything to
live for.” (341)
He said nobody was watching the clock … I was watching the clock.” (346).
Part: 4
Section: 5
Chapters: The View from the Esplanade Hotel
Page Number: 349 - 358
BRIEF SYNOPIS: What happens? What age is Drewe? What are the important things that
happen to him? Where is the chapter set? Whose point of view are we given?
In this final chapter, we see Drewe’s point of view from the age of 21, showing us his last nights in Perth.
As he reflects on his past, he realizes he is leaving Perth to begin a new life. His life will continue on in
Melbourne as a journalist for “The Age.” Drewe is excited to move on from the drama and responsibility of
his adolescent years in Perth. The last chapter also shows us Drewe’s family is moving on with their new
lives in Sydney and will soon be attending his father’s wedding.
KEY CONCERNS: What does Drewe seem most concerned about? What ideas does he
discuss the most? Is there any repetition of ideas/symbols? What links can be made with other parts of the
text? What is Drewe trying to show us about himself? His family? About Perth?
-
First time in a while he has no concerns
Discusses a mix of moving and how others in his life are moving on.
A few links – referring back to Billy Graham, referring back to looking at the still river, referring back
to previous characters in the book, and where they are today.
Drewe shows us he is growing up and moving on in life to be a happy and relaxed person, though
leaving Perth is hard.
KEY QUOTES: What quotes can you find that show the reader something important about
Drewe? About other characters? About Perth? What quotes can be used to link this section to other parts
of the text?
-
“Protruding blue eyes, not unlike Billy Graham’s. although he was better groomed and
dressed.”
“Not a whisp of cloud, not a bird or plane or puff of smoke marred the sharp blue sky.”
“I know a more newsworthy and urbane world lay east of this glistening view.”
“I wanted to stretch my wings. I wanted adventures. I was tired of being the black sheep,
and supporting three people on a teenager’s salary.”
Everything became settled in Perth.”
Life had been more serene than it had for years. Instead of being swept along in a torrent of
dramatic events, I felt change for once.”