The Secret River

Characters and Relationships

Characterisation

refers the step by step process by which the author

introduces and then describes a character

The character can be described directly by the author or

indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and speech of the
character.

multitude of traits and behaviours that give the literary

character the complexity of a human being

Consider:
Person against Self
Internal conflict (struggle with self)
Person against Person
Interpersonal conflict (struggle with other person)
Person against Society
Protagonist is in conflict with the values of society
Person against Nature
Protagonist is threatened by an element of nature
Person against Fate
Protagonist must contend against a fact over which people have little
control

Protagonist:
Central character in the plot's conflict

William Thornhill

grows up in a poor family

convicted for stealing and transported to

NSW

works hard to earn his freedom and

secure a home for his family

loves his wife and family

tries to please Sal (bought her a paisley

shawl)

prioritises securing land over her

happiness

physical description,
action, dialogue
fears and
motivations
morality,
values and
beliefs

 survival
security
success

physical description,
action, dialogue
fears and
motivations
morality,
values and
beliefs

 frequently lies to Sal

usually because he knows
what is best for her
shows little remorse when
he commits immoral acts
values his family and pride
values the advice of others
not in control of his
decisions and beliefs

convict
/ settler

empathetic
portrayal of
the settlers

William
Thornhill

William Thornhill (I do)

Thornhill, although a central character who readers empathise with, is
also flawed. He frequently lies to Sal and makes decisions that can be
difficult for contemporary readers to sympathise with. However,
Grenville presents an empathetic portrayal of William Thornhill as she
constantly reveals his moral deliberations. The audience gains insight
into his personal battles and moral consciousness when deciding the
right course of action to follow. For example, when faced with
Smashers proposal of the massacre, he weighs up his own safety and
Sals happiness against his dislike for Smasher and his methods
(pp.279-279).

Because his own priorities are sometimes shifting or even conflicting,

he often needs to look to others for advice, such as when he depend
Sals initiative to get him out of Newgate Prison alive (p.60) or when
he visits Blackwood to ask him how to manage Aborigines on his land
(pp. 205-8). This gives him credibility as a character: rather than
having a natural level of certainty about the world, he often needs to
support. Yet at the same time his dependence on others sometimes
weakens his character, as it seems that he is not in control of his
decisions and even beliefs.

Sal Thornhill (We do)

Thomas Blackwood (You do)

Option One: Pages 105 Read and write a paragraph

Smasher Sullivan (You do)

Option two: Pages 103 and