Remembering Babylon

by

David Malouf

Remembering Babylon Symbols

The Fence

The fence which Gemmy balances himself upon in the first moment that Janet and Lachlan see him represents the divide between the Aboriginal Australians’ world, where Gemmy has been living for 16 years, and the…

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The Pages

The pages that Mr. Frazer and George Abbott write about Gemmy’s life represent his connection to white society. When Mr. Frazer interviews Gemmy in his first days in the settlement, he pieces together as…

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The Stone

The stone works as a brief but frank symbol of the settlers’ fear and the manner in which it can be weaponized. After Andy sees Gemmy speaking with two Aboriginal men, he goes to tell…

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