Genre
Australian fiction
Setting and Context
Un-named town in Southern Australia divided on racial grounds
Narrator and Point of View
The story is told from Blacky's point of view and everything that happens is seen through his eyes.
Tone and Mood
The tone is racially contentious and quite threatening; the mood is at the same time optimistic and also very sad.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Blacky is the protagonist. The racist environment in which he lives is the antagonistic factor in his life.
Major Conflict
There is conflict between the white citizens of the small town and the Aboriginal citizens. Although it is not a violent conflict it is ongoing and the answer to it seems to be for each group to keep out of the way of the other. It is in a way a completely passive-aggressive kind of conflict
Climax
Dumby is killed at the end of the novel.
Foreshadowing
The fact that Dumby is an Aborigine foreshadows the award for best player being given to someone else on the team.
Understatement
The contentiousness between both sides of town is really understated, because although in general a peace is maintained there is an underlying current of complete hate between the two groups.
Allusions
The novel alludes to the way in which Aborigines were treated when white settlers took their land and took over the governing of them.
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
Blacky does not really stand up for his friendship with Dumby when his friend is alive but after he is shot he stands up for the friendship by attending his funeral.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Blacky beginning a relationship with Clarence and his willingness to stand up for what he believes is right.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The Port and The Point are used to encompass all of the people living there.
Personification
N/A
