Discussing Deadly Unna by Philip Gwynne

1. Discussing Deadly Unna by Philip Gwynne

2. The Characters

3. The Town

4. Town Attitudes • “Sports one thing, this is another. It’s best not to get the two of them mixed up” Mr Robertson—meanwhile still expecting that he’ll be able to get Aboriginal players back to field a team. • “The old man reckoned he got what he deserved” Pickles • “It’s their business not ours”

5. The Town • Racist-- Even later when Dumby decided he likes him—he pretends otherwise Why? “because it was easier to stay like that” • A man’s world --Once you’ve been labeled a “gutless wonder the label sticks” p8

6. Arks Arks—the litmus test character --is useful as a character because- he is the window—on the town—it is through him that we see what the town’s people and attitudes are like. Character symbols- stale polly waffle, old ute

7. Arks Hero to zero He is the owner of the local deli, a simple guy whose missus shot through and he was left on his own to bring up the kids. He is a plodder who symbolically has never won a grand final. Brylcream—does things the old fashioned way-has old fashioned values,

8. Blacky • BLACKY –main character—representative of the reader—we see through his eyes. We identify with his view points—it is his story, his journey. • We step into his eyes and observe the town—he introduces

9. Blacky • Smart— • not much of a footballer (Jam Jar Black) • You’re gonna get murdered • A faker • A coward/ anxious • Bucky beaver

10. Blacky’s transformation • At the start-Racist—thinks of Dumby as a dumb • Thinks he’s superior— • Anxious/ tows the line • Blacky--By the end- has changed . . . is more confident, confronts, his old man, no longer on the fringes, gets involved with rewriting the graffiti, goes to the funeral, puts others first • “I got angrier. I could feel it growing inside me ” p133

11. Blacky end • Climax of the story—is that it’s not about righting the actual death of Dumby-- but about Blacky’s own journey to self determination. • This is shown at the end by his actions---when he paints over the graffiti—break into his father’s shed and steal paint—confronts his father—Team Man saves him by knocking him with the car—then they all paint over the racist graffiti.

12. Dumby • “All look the same to me brudda” p21 • tells us he’s confident, not self-conscious, doesn’t discriminate. • Honourable

13. Mr Black • a passionate fisherman—a survivor, • Violent--“Remember that time he bashed that bloke up outside the pub”. Pickles • Blacky and his father—very different——personality clash. Team man tells Blacky “It’s only when you start tangling lines that he gets shitty” p65— • “Christ, you’re a worrier aren’t you” • “You’re trying to kill us aren’t you? You hate us.”p75—total misunderstanding

14. Mrs Black • The heart and soul of the house, the family, first time we meet her she is stirring the pot on the stove—symbolic of who she is as a character—a nurturer, a builder • Her philosophy—“try to be happy” and “do your best”,

15. Mrs Black • tragic figure, has no teeth, works hard, little reward • Unfulfilled- Mills and Boon • Cigs and black coffee • Disrespected.

16. Clarence • Clarence- strong sense of humour, human, likeable, has dignity

17. Pickles • Doesn’t care about anyone—have any principals. • Slack uneducated dirty • “Had me finger down that Kerl

18. Darcy • Darcy—symbol of the town • —the old folk, they’re values and where the town comes from—a human representation----wears a walking tackle shop—wears army gear—talks about the second world war--- and all the fears and suspicions that were around during that time. • is the living embodiment of the depression in Australia—tough as old boots, is a survivor—grows own food, fishes—self sufficient—honest

21. Arks